Stitching by the regions’ embroiderers comprising new work by members of the Manawatu‑Whanganui‑Taranaki embroidery guilds
Friday 15 October – Sunday 7 November
MAIN GALLERY
ARTWORK Kudu from out of town by Lynette Viviers.
Long and short stitch.
ARTWORK
Knot Garden by Heather Clow
Blackwork
Mary Hickmott Design
Town and Country Stitched is the biennial exhibition for members of all Embroiderers’ Guilds in the Taranaki, Whanganui and Manawatu region and includes some of the area’s finest needlework. There also pieces by young people who have vied for awards in each of their three sections.
Embroiderers’ Guilds are made up of diverse, creative and inspirational people, all with a common love of stitching.
The exhibition features a variety of embroidery techniques, both contemporary creative embroidery and traditional embroidery such as cross stitch, black-work, surface embroidery, Casalguidi, canvas work, white-work, Jacobean, Hardanger, Italian traditional and many more.
The work has been completed by Guild members in the last two years and covers a range of skill levels from six-year-old beginners to embroiderers with advanced skills.
This regional showcase of embroidery aims to encourage embroidery in all its forms. The pieces demonstrate both innovation in design and excellence in stitching and comprise a variety of objects to view and admire.
During the exhibition, members of the Guild are stitching in the gallery and are happy for visitors to view and ask questions. It is always fascinating to see how a piece has been developed. Members are always keen to share their passion, and hopefully, inspire others. They can give information on where to start, times of local guild meetings and workshop opportunities.
Each piece has been judged in individual sections.
ARTWORK
1. Feathered Friends (detail) by Delwin Singh
Surface stitch
2. Autumn Sampler by Gloria Campbell
Reticello
3. Pohutukawa by Jacquie Wakeford
Goldwork
Shirley Pygott
Friday 15 October – Sunday 7 November
GALLERY 2
Opening event Saturday 16 October 2pm
Connections are made all the time, small connections with people we meet in the street, larger webs of connection between family or groups we work with, and virtual connections over social media. All of these are based on how we present ourselves, how others see us and how we view others.
Jo's work for Nexus focuses on personal connections between physical people; patterns of connections formed when large groups work together. These invisible patterns form slowly but become strong and beautiful over time.
Maree's focus is on connections made over social media, often based on lives that are highly curated and viewed through any number of filters. What are people losing in their effort to conform? Are these connections real if based on a slightly less-than-truthful identity?
Both Maree and Jo use traditional embroidery techniques to deliver work that they hope will spark conversations about contemporary culture.
Maree Burnnand is an embroiderer, who through her work, likes to challenge peoples' perception of embroidery.
‘I have always had a love for textiles and fibre and my further education was in fashion and textile design but as I have aged, embroidery has come to the fore.’
Maree’s work tends to be very traditional and simple in its technique but the subject matter is often not what you expect to find in embroidery.
‘Reflecting whatever I am into at the time, the works can be a little random, but hints of the music, art and the macabre that I love always seem to come through.’
Jo Dixey is a freelance hand-embroiderer who trained at the Royal School of Needlework thirty years ago.
‘My life involves teaching embroidery to small groups, working on pieces for exhibitions and doing commissions. These commissions include new work as well as restoration, for private individuals, the fashion industry and costume work for film.’
The work Jo stitches for an exhibition gives her opportunity to comment on contemporary culture and, hopefully, start a conversation amongst the viewers.
Jo's book ‘Stitch People’ was published in 2017 and later re-released as ‘Creative Thread’.
ARTWORK
1. Journey or Destination? by Maree Burnnand.
Wool thread on linen with gold leaf.
2. Entwine by Jo Dixie.
Wool threads on Linen.
Entwine
JO DIXEY
Wool threads on Linen
As embroiderers we are all linked with the stitchers from the past through the stitches we use.
$800
Ready to connect
JO DIXEY
Woad dyed fabric and threads
We all form a pattern around us that fits together with other peoples patterns. Sometimes we have to spend time to make the patterns fit but sometimes the connection is instantly perfect.
$400
Walking
JO DIXEY
Indigo dyed fabric and threads
Every time we pass someone in the street we make a brief connection. These sometimes leave a lasting impression on us, when others are instantly forgotten.
$300
Walking with the past
JO DIXEY
Woad dyed fabric and thread
I grew the woad that dyed this fabric and thread, a real connection with the past.
$400
Journey or Destination?
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen with gold leaf
Over our lifetime we connect with many people, some of these are fleeting barely touching us, others are much deeper leaving permanent marks on our lives. All connections are important and help colour who we become in our journey through life.
$1500
The Black Sheep Series I - IV
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
Pop Art often used mechanical reproduction, a different colour palette but the image stayed the same. In trying to fit into a desired box on social media people filter their images hoping to achieve the perfect look.
The Black Sheep Series I - IV
$1600
The Black Sheep I
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
(yellow/blue/red)
$450
The Black Sheep II
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
(purple/orange)
$450
The Black Sheep III
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
(grey/red)
$450
The Black Sheep IV
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
((yellow/turquoise/fuchsia))
$450
Beautiful connections
JO DIXEY
Woad dyed fabric and threads with metal thread
Some connections between a group of people seem so easy and natural. I am certain they would look like beautiful symmetrical patterns if we could see them.
$300 ⬤ SOLD
Who Are You I
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
(yellow/turquoise/fuchsia)
$500
Who Are You II
MAREE BURNNAND
Wool thread on linen
(grey/red)
$500
Who Are You I – II
Who’s perfection are we trying to live up too and what happens when we lose who we really are? It all starts so innocently, add a filter to improve the lighting, maybe another tweak is needed, the pressure builds to show a perfect image and life on line. But how much distortion of reality is required and which parts of this life should we believe.
Connected but apart
JO DIXEY
Natural dyed and metal threads
The connections we have with the people we are close to are strong enough not to break even when we are apart.
$600
Finding your tribe
JO DIXEY
Natural dyed fabric with metal threads
Life feels chaotic until we find our tribe. People who like what we like and think like us. We all look slightly different but something brings us together in a pattern of connection.
$1000
Growing together
JO DIXEY
Wool threads on natural dyed fabric
The strong connection between people that grows over time leaves a lasting impression on the soul.
$500
Lines of connection
JO DIXEY
Metal threads on cotton
Lines of connection flow around us constantly, forming bonds with each other. These bonds build up over time to create strong relationships, built-up of layers.
$400
Connection Sketch III
JO DIXEY
Metallic foil and cotton
Multiple lines of connection, holds a group together
$100