Local Colour: Experiments in Nature

'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature' features artists and designers with an interest in sustainable practices, local ecologies and an appreciation for the world’s natural resources. 

Participants in this project have a common interest in experimenting with locally sourced plant materials to extract unique colour for artworks created from naturally coloured materials. The exhibition highlights the resurgent international shift towards natural dyes, the increased interest in ‘slow textiles’, the handmade and holistic practice of textile making.

Social, cultural and political issues ranging from climate change, land use, individual and environmental wellbeing are expressed in works coloured by plant dyes and pigments. Presenting contemporary work by Australian and international artists, designers and social enterprise groups, 'Local Colour' illustrates the vitality, diversity, breadth and beauty of this practice that’s now enjoying a renaissance across the world.

Artists
Aranya Natural
Adiv Pure Nature
Hildur Bjarnadóttir
Dorothy Caldwell
Margaret Djogiba
India Flint
Helen Ganalmirriwuy
Mandy Batjula Gaykamangu
Leanne Guymala
Judith Kentish
Abduljabbar Khatri
Rebecca Mayo
Gabrielle Mordy
Sarah Nadjalaburnburn
Emma Peters
Margaret Rarru
Rowland Ricketts
Julie Ryder
Lucy Simpson
Holly Story
and Elsje van Keppel

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Curator
Associate Professor Liz Williamson

Hildur Bjarnadóttir consensus 2017 and multicenteredness 2016. Installation view, 'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature', UNSW Galleries, 2018. Photo: Silversalt Photography

 

Lucy Simpson Yulay (skin) 2018. Installation view, 'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature', UNSW Galleries, 2018. Photograph: Silversalt Photography

 

Rowland Ricketts Drawings 2016–18. Installation view, 'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature', UNSW Galleries, 2018. Photograph: Silversalt Photography

 

Judith Kentish Kobble Creek Weavings 1-20 2017–18. Installation view, 'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature', UNSW Galleries 2018. Photograph: Silversalt Photography

 

Installation view, 'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature', UNSW Galleries 2018. Pictured: Mandy Batjula Bathi Mul (Black Dilly Bags) 2018; Margaret Rarru Gunga Bathi 2018; Helen Ganalmirriwuy Bathi Mul 2018 and Gunga Mats (Pandanus Mats) 2018. Photograph: Silversalt Photography

Public Program

Late Nights at UNSW Galleries

Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival
Wednesday 5 and Thursdsay 6 September, UNSW Galleries

UNSW Galleries opens late to coincide with the Australian Design Centre screenings of 'Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival'. In the lead up to Sydney Craft Week, 'Real to Reel' is a short film festival that celebrates craft and making in all its facets: traditional, contemporary, subversive and diverse. Featuring an eclectic program of 28 short films (across two screenings), the films have been selected from around the globe. There’s an incredible array of styles, people and approaches — from BAFTA-winning, hand-crafted animation and music videos to glimpses behind the scenes of makers’ studios.

The craft festival includes a short film about Sydney weaver and UNSW Lecturer Liz Williamson made by Angus Lee Forbes, Obsessed: Compelled to make. Liz Williamson curated 'Local Colour: Experiments in Nature' UNSW Galleries, staying open late until 7pm for visitors to explore before attending the nearby film festival at Chauvel Cinemas.