Contemporary Community Textile Artist On Tour: Exploring the Arts Trail in the Southern Highlands of Australia

Introduction - Topping Up Textile Artist Inspiration

This month, I spent a week in the Southern Highlands of Australia, searching for a little contemporary community textile artist stillness, routine establishment, and peace after frequent moves of location necessitated by the methane mitigation project I'm supporting. Here, a picturesque region known for its rolling hills, cooler climes, and breathtaking landscape is frequently remarked on (and I agree) how British it feels. The old Blighty sense is due to the many historical European settlers who farmed and still farm flowers in the lush soil, bringing with them their native trees and brushes. A sprinkling of rabbits completed the tableau.

The Southern Highlands is a haven for Nature enthusiasts and a vibrant hub for art lovers. I knew my favourite weaving artist, Harriet Goodall, was based there, so this was to be a real treat. The universe continued to reward me as the regional arts trail was also scheduled during my visit, besides Harriet and everyone's bucket list favourite of Robertson's 'Big Potato' sculpture (a must for anyone with Irish heritage. My life is nudging towards being 'complete.')

Harriet was gracious enough to reply to my request for a meet-up and brew, but unfortunately, this did not occur. [Get well soon, Harriet, and you've now made it, so I have to return.] Instead, I was satisfied by visiting the gallery that represents her - Jennings Kerr, ideally situated next to the potato. An eclectic and mixed genre exhibition showed, entitled 'Real, Still, Unreal.' Always happy to discover new artists, I stumbled upon a new gem - Ann B. Coddington, an American fibre artist who uses 'off-loom weaving.' To the uninitiated, such as me, I took this term to mean a sort of free weaving to create three-dimensional shapes.

Ann's material of choice in the works shown used a waxed linen twine to generate finger itching with the desire to touch organic, humanesque, undulating forms in natural cream-brown hues. The wax strengthened these forms so they sat solid and proud, extending a reasonable distance from the wall where they were displayed. There is no drooping here, no siree. She, too, is a favourite of Harriet's, and I can understand why. The method used captures a tangible humanity and sense of Nature in her work. I could imagine the depth of connection she builds with each piece as her fingers weave the yarn in tightly tensioned shapes, mastered over thirty years of twining to build each stitch with meticulous repetition of shape and form.

In addition to the Jennings Kerr gallery, the Arts Trail in the Highlands offered a unique opportunity to experience the region's rich art scene, showcasing the works of local artists and their relationships with the stunning environment surrounding them. I had no idea of the wealth and diversity of creativity that formed the art tribe of this region.

What Was/Is the Arts Trail?

The Arts Trail was a collaborative effort among local artists, galleries, and studios spread throughout the Highlands, including Bowral, Mittagong, and Moss Vale. It allowed visitors to explore various art forms, from exquisite paintings and ceramics to handcrafted jewellery and textiles. For me, there's something magical about entering the sacred 'making' spaces of creatives, immersing in their studio environment, listening to their descriptions of what, how and why, and deepening your appreciation of their works through peppering the actual artist with questions. It's how the chocolate factory must feel to Willy Wonka.

Having no particular plan, it was as if I had allowed Wonka's chocolate river to dictate the passage of my 'SS Wonkatania.'

River Road Creative Academy/Moss Vale Arts Factory

Vocals and guitar ballads floated from the shop front of River Road Creative Academy. Sat in a leopard print dressing gown and matching furry slippers, strummed and sang Shardae Ewart. Have you ever entered the aura of someone truly empathic and collaborative? Then you'll know how Shardae felt to me: a true creative community champion to her core.

Shardae sang songs about life whilst families, peeps from the street and myself sat transfixed on the rugs and smorgasbord of chairs. Shardae is unique, and so is this place; it's genuinely wonderful. River Road is 'a collective of artists and organisations focused on supporting people of all ages and backgrounds to learn and explore music and creative arts.'

This remarkable space offers a range of workshops and programmes designed to nurture creativity and skill development across various art forms. Singing, playing, sploshing on walls, sculpting, clay, textiles, painting, film, movement, and therapy were all options to provide community projects that promote artistic expression. No one is left behind; instead, collaboration and kindness foster a sense of community among local artists and visitors alike. I loved it, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of art. Check it out: https://www.riverroad.edu.au/

Galleries and Studios

Back on the SS Wonkatania, the trail took me to some of the region's most renowned galleries and studios. I enjoyed far too many, so here is a very brief whistle-stop tour (NB: Spud Lane Gallery was not on the tour, but I found it later.

• Purple Place On The Corner

Nestled off-piste sat a pair of white show spaces exhibiting the works of Kate Tribe and Katherine Yeh, two strong contemporary female artists ploughing the furrows of textile and interdisciplinary methods, respectively.

I had spotted Kate's work in the local Exeter General Store (artists show works everywhere in this region, it's an absolute delight.) However, she showed the breadth and product depth of her hand cross-stitching adventures at the Purple Place On The Corner.

She made an impression on me with a distinctive style; it appeared we had both considered the impact of travel, rhythm, and routine (which is why I'd come to the Southern Highlands.) It was an uncanny alliance between us. In another quirk of the universe, we both organically embark on our textile process without plans, both 'daring greatly' as I explained in the post 'Hand Stitching A Textile Journey: Crafting Memories Through Travel Projects.'

Katherine was a fabulous ambassador for her work, focusing on natural landscapes, components, and how they 'feel' in marks at different times, angles, and lights. I have one of her pieces firmly in my mind's eye as 'the one that got away.' Applied on card were desert hues and textures created from earth, stained, dyed and applied directly to the surface. Significant words complemented these pairs of works. Once again, my fingers itched to touch the delicate surfaces. We discussed the Australian desert, geopolitical matters, housing shortages, and the need for good coffee to maintain momentum during these open studio fixtures. I left considering one duo of the desert works, but time ran away from me, and I never did find out if they were sold.

• The Bowral & District Art Society Studios

  I have learnt that I am a 'tribal artist', meaning I love to exist in a community of creatives. Unsurprisingly, another art trail highlight was the Bowral & District Art Society Studios, a 75-year-old bustling arts hub.

  

  The works in the main galleries were exquisitely curated as my eye played in the colours of the painted hung pieces. These paintings composed the exhibition 'Spectrum 5,' by local artists Helen Johnston and Jan Maguire who have been friends and painted together for over twenty years. I could see they had formed an exclusive tribe that nurtured each of them on their 'arena floor' with dollops of encouragement, collaboration, and the shared joys of travel, Nature, and music.

  

  I finally found my little art treat in the second section: a simple silver thumb ring. Having chatted with the artist about the misery of having 'fat' fingers, I discussed a future blog post about the trail, and she supplied the name @littleshop.of. Try as I might to find her, I have failed, but I'm sending over the universe that I have thoroughly enjoyed her ring and have worn it every day since.

• The Connection With Nature

  One of the best aspects of the Arts Trail was the connection to the stunning surroundings. As I moved from one gallery or studio space to the next, I enjoyed the Nature trails, gardens, and the spectacular Highland landscapes. Many artists at the event drew inspiration from the beauty surrounding them, so immersing myself in Nature deepened my appreciation for the art on display.

Conclusion

I witnessed the deep connections between the artists and their surroundings and the passion that drove them to create their works, which was inspiring. As my adventure unfolded, I immersed myself in the vibrant art community, appreciating the diverse range of art forms and the stories behind each creation. Every artist I met shared a piece of their world, revealing their inspirations, struggles, and triumphs. This experience inspired my energies in the artistic process and my commitment to each piece of art.

The Southern Highlands has genuinely become a treasure trove of creativity and inspiration for me. I left with a heart full of memories, discoveries, and a renewed appreciation for the power of art to connect us all. This journey reminded me how important it is to nurture and support local art communities. I can't wait to return to this enchanting region to discover even more (and spend some time with Harriet when she's better.)

Whether you're an art lover or simply seeking inspiration, I recommend experiencing the artistry of the Southern Highlands firsthand.