Exploring Contours and Contrasts: Insights from My Exhibition
- loisparishevans
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
I can't believe it is nearly three weeks ago that my solo exhibition "Contours and Contrasts" opened at Timeless Textiles Gallery, Hunter Street, Newcastle, Australia. It is always difficult to know how an opening night is going to pan out but I have to say it surpassed my exectations. In a Timeless Textiles social media post it was described as a "happy and celebratory" opening and that description certainly sums it up for me.
Wilma Simmons, an acclaimed Newcastle fibre artist gave a beautiful and thoughtful opening speech which I value:
"Tonight, we are very fortunate to be with Lois celebrating her love and sense of place in “Contours and Contrasts” – these artworks are intricately stitched personal interpretations of what Lois sees around her, her local surroundings and special places she has connections with. As you can see from the artworks, Lois has conquered ‘line”. With stitching skill and creative vision, Lois transforms line into contours, energy, movement, emotion and stories. There is a special talent to re-create emotional connections between place and people with fabric and stitch…
Lois has captured not just the place itself but the spirt of coastal land and sea, so as viewers, we are moved to layer our own experiences to enhance the appreciation of the art.
I am reminded of a quotation, which I think it applies to Lois’s Contours and Contrasts – “What surrounds us is within us” And that is very obvious that these artworks are not mere observations – they are responses from the mind and heart, from within. When Lois and I chatted about our experiences of living in Papua New Guinea, we wondered if it has an effect on the approach to art making in a modern technological western world of the 21st century… when you live a very basic existence where the forces of nature and even the slightest change affects every aspect of your lifestyle – you become more observant, more attuned, and more responsive. It’s not that you need to experience third world living to understand this, we can all become more mindful, more aware and more “in sync” with our surroundings.
And then follows almost a responsibility and a commitment to share this understanding in a creative way …. I am also in awe of the stitching in this work– both free motion machine and hand stitching – It is the sheer mastery of these techniques which are the trademark of Lois’s artistry."
Thank you Wilma.
There is something very special about seeing a body of work by an artist hanging and it was a pleasure to work with Anne Kempton, Director of Timeless textiles gallery, in hanging the exhibition so that it is displayed in a way that enhances the viewers experience. It is also a good opportunity to stand back and observe months of hard work completed and displayed.
The opening night was very special for me and so lovely to have so many people supporting me by coming to the opening and celebrating with me.
Another highlight was teaching a three day Landscape Art Quilt workshop at Timeless Textiles. The participants were so keen and just soaked up every moment of the workshop, they worked so hard and explored a number of ways of working.
One of the aspects of a workshop that I love is to watch participants take what I have to offer and make it their own. For example the following photo is the same idea of repeating motifs but the use of different fabrics and extension of the design makes them completely different.
I loved my time in Newcastle both at the Timeless Textiles Gallery and also catching up with friends from my previous life in Newcastle. I would have loved to spend more time hanging out at the Gallery and meeting visitors but unfortunately I needed to get back home to enjoy and celebrate my daughter graduating from University.
Anne Kempton has created a video interview about my exhibition which explores in more depth the work and the meaning of the Contours and Contrasts in my exhibition. This can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylQbKgTGtus
You can also view my exhibition at: https://timelesstextiles.com.au/events/contours-and-contrasts-lois-parish-evans/
