The Handwise Project: Handwise II, John Paynter Gallery, 2009

Saturday

Handwise II, John Paynter Gallery, 2009

7 - 23 August 2009

Curated by Ahn Wells

Nerida Ackland
Kim Blunt
Bree Cunningham
Gillean Shaw
Joy Smith

Handwise II was again exhibited at the John Paynter Gallery in 2009. This time Wells became the curator and did not participate as an artist. A new selection of artists were invited to participate. They were Nerida Ackland, Kim Blunt, Bree Cunningham, Gillian Shaw and Joy Smith. While these artist were asked to stay faithful to the original concept, they evolved and extended it. Resulting in paper adorning the gallery wall, eerily formed heads made from muslin material, recycled platted ties and the highly technical traditional tapestry weaving.

Newcastle (Australia) based artist Ahn Wells started the Handwise exhibitions with the idea to explore the concept of making artworks which are based on fibre/textile materials and/or techniques. The aim of these exhibitions is to widen audiences expectations and appreciation of what fibre/textile art is and can be within a contemporary context. To date, the Handwise exhibitions have been exhibited at local artist-run galleries annually since 2008.

From 2013, Wells has decided to continue with The Handwise Project but each year the concept will change. This year, artists have been asked to make new works, using any medium, and any size. The only restriction placed on each artist was that the works must be installed directly into the gallery walls, floors or ceiling of the gallery.