For up to date and further information on this project, please visit
ahnwells.com/the-handwise-project
Monday
Wednesday
Handwise VI, Newcastle Art Space, 2013
WALLS
| FLOORS | CEILINGS
Opening night: Friday 1 November 6-8pm
The exhibition dates: 31 October - 17 November 2013
Gallery hours: Thurs - Sun 12-5pm
Handwise
VI
[walls|floors|ceilings]
the sixth (6) consecutive exhibition from The
Handwise Project
curated and conceived by artist Ahn Wells. This year, artists were asked to make 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.
The
outcome is an alluring mix of works that will fill the
gallery space in new and challenging ways for both the artists and the
audience. 2013 artists were Joanna
O'Toole, Ruth Feeney, Clare Weeks, Elizabeth Francis, Meredith
Woolnough and
Ahn
Wells.
Joanna O'Toole's
wall hung timber sculptures are a continuation of current ideas. They
reflect a collection of personal playful memories, time and journey.
www.joannaotoole.com.au
Ruth Feeney's practice consists primarily of temporary installations. The general intent of her work is to defamiliarise overlooked pedestrian objects and spaces by presenting them to audiences in an unexpected or unconventional manner. By imbuing an object or space with unfamiliarity, audience's perceceptions are separated from the automated and nondescript and guided towards new interpretations. Currently Feeny's work manifests themselves in pattern based arrangements, with both a restrained ethos and materials palette.
Ruth Feeney's practice consists primarily of temporary installations. The general intent of her work is to defamiliarise overlooked pedestrian objects and spaces by presenting them to audiences in an unexpected or unconventional manner. By imbuing an object or space with unfamiliarity, audience's perceceptions are separated from the automated and nondescript and guided towards new interpretations. Currently Feeny's work manifests themselves in pattern based arrangements, with both a restrained ethos and materials palette.
Clare Weeks' Throughout my practice I have used photography to explore the relationship between two elements and how or why they co-exist. The body and architectonic space, physical and imagined space, and nature and the domestic, are all topics that have revealed to me that neither can exist in my work without the presence of the other. www.clareweeks.com.au
This work is a response to monthly infusions of a drug used to control my MS. Once a month, on a Monday, I have an appointment in hospital where I lose my arm for two hours. In the re-telling the narrative is elaborated upon and the body's story becomes emphasised. Like an investigator I document all traces left behind creating a unique record of the experience.
This work is a response to monthly infusions of a drug used to control my MS. Once a month, on a Monday, I have an appointment in hospital where I lose my arm for two hours. In the re-telling the narrative is elaborated upon and the body's story becomes emphasised. Like an investigator I document all traces left behind creating a unique record of the experience.
Elizabeth Francis' works have their roots in Newcastle where everything is large and heavy, industrial and strong. Gigantic areas of flat colour, covered in industrial grime and mixed with rusting steel. Nothing in Newcastle is shiny apart from the glint of the sun on the water. She uses a small part of something massive and incorporates the shadows it casts. Using flat surfaces and hard edges, conveys the strength and weight of the object. By removing the shapes from the canvas and allowing them to stand alone, the wall or whole room becomes the negative space.
Meredith Woolnough's work explores the power and fragility of nature through intricately embroidered sculptures. The shapes and patterns found in coral and leaves are replicated in tiny stitches that build up to form specimen like constructions that are light and delicate. Her work explores themes of the interconnectedness of living things and environmental degradation.
Meredith Woolnough's work explores the power and fragility of nature through intricately embroidered sculptures. The shapes and patterns found in coral and leaves are replicated in tiny stitches that build up to form specimen like constructions that are light and delicate. Her work explores themes of the interconnectedness of living things and environmental degradation.
Meredith
Woolnough’s latest ‘text series’ consists of a range of
embroidered writings. Some are comical, others much more serious but
all are deeply personal to the artist. Meredith painstakingly
stitches her thoughts, feeling and messages onto a water-soluble base
fabric that is later washed away. This process of removing the
stabilising base cloth distorts the text to an almost unreadable
scribble.
Sunday
Handwise V, Newcastle Art Space, 2012
curated by Ahn Wells
exhibition dates: Thursday 9 - Sunday 26 August 2012
gallery hours: Thurs - Sun 12-5pm
Opening night: FRIDAY 10 August 6-8pm
new works from selected artists who exhibited in Handwise I - IV
2011
exhibition dates: Thursday 9 - Sunday 26 August 2012
gallery hours: Thurs - Sun 12-5pm
Opening night: FRIDAY 10 August 6-8pm
new works from selected artists who exhibited in Handwise I - IV
2011
Monday
Handwise IV, PODspace gallery, 2011
16 February - 5 March 2011
curated by Ahn Wells
Angela Armstrong
Chris Brown
Jan Downes
Ruth Feeney
Annemarie Murland
This year, Handwise IV was again exhibited at PODspace gallery. Another selection of artists were asked to make new work that explored the "handwise concept" while still exploring their own artistic avenues. Annemarie Murland produced two new "weave paintings" that reminded the viewer of tartan blankets, Chris Brown found freedom via a wall installation made of coloured vintage cotton while Jan Downes experimented with sewing tools to create an ephemeral-like cloth impression on porcelain. Lastly Angela Armstrong's subtle cyanotypes revealed the hand-sewn weathered seaweed that was captured between layers of silk and Ruth Feeney's geometric floor installation was constructed from numerous folded plastic bags.
Curator and artist talks were held for the first time at PODspace gallery where the artists: Angela Armstrong, Chris Brown, Jan Downes and Ruth Feeney (Annemarie Murland was in New York) were joined by curator Ahn Wells to discuss the genesis of Handwise and their current work in the exhibition.
curated by Ahn Wells
Angela Armstrong
Chris Brown
Jan Downes
Ruth Feeney
Annemarie Murland
This year, Handwise IV was again exhibited at PODspace gallery. Another selection of artists were asked to make new work that explored the "handwise concept" while still exploring their own artistic avenues. Annemarie Murland produced two new "weave paintings" that reminded the viewer of tartan blankets, Chris Brown found freedom via a wall installation made of coloured vintage cotton while Jan Downes experimented with sewing tools to create an ephemeral-like cloth impression on porcelain. Lastly Angela Armstrong's subtle cyanotypes revealed the hand-sewn weathered seaweed that was captured between layers of silk and Ruth Feeney's geometric floor installation was constructed from numerous folded plastic bags.
Curator and artist talks were held for the first time at PODspace gallery where the artists: Angela Armstrong, Chris Brown, Jan Downes and Ruth Feeney (Annemarie Murland was in New York) were joined by curator Ahn Wells to discuss the genesis of Handwise and their current work in the exhibition.
Saturday
Handwise III, PODspace gallery, 2010
30 June - 17 July 2010
curated by Ahn Wells
Brett Alexander
Christian Kauter
Robyn Nunan
John Parkes
Emily Roberts
Martin Trew
In 2010 Handwise III moved to PODspace gallery, 3/321 King St, Newcastle where Wells volunteered as a co-director. Brett Alexander, Christian Kauter, Robyn Nunan, John Parkes, Emily Roberts and Martin Trew were invited to exhibit new work. This show further produced new insights in the fibre/textile discipline which included a fibre optics sculpture, hand dyed and stitched fabric, crocheted cling wrap, video art, contemporary cross-stitch designs and folded paper.
curated by Ahn Wells
Brett Alexander
Christian Kauter
Robyn Nunan
John Parkes
Emily Roberts
Martin Trew
In 2010 Handwise III moved to PODspace gallery, 3/321 King St, Newcastle where Wells volunteered as a co-director. Brett Alexander, Christian Kauter, Robyn Nunan, John Parkes, Emily Roberts and Martin Trew were invited to exhibit new work. This show further produced new insights in the fibre/textile discipline which included a fibre optics sculpture, hand dyed and stitched fabric, crocheted cling wrap, video art, contemporary cross-stitch designs and folded paper.
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.
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.
Handwise I, John Paynter Gallery, 2008
22 February - 9 March 2008
Belinda Howden
Ahn Wells
Soozie Coumbe
Niomi Sands
Anna King
Emma-Lee Crane
Olivia Parsonage
Jessica Coughlin
Handwise I was held in 2008 at John Paynter Gallery, 90 Hunter St, Newcastle. Wells organised the exhibition and participated as an artist. Soozie Combe, Jessica Coughlan, Emma-Lee Crane, Belinda Howden, Anna King, Olivia Parsonage and Niomi Sands also showed their work which included woven twigs, crocheted copperwire, a giant material fork and a film of a sewing machine popping bubble wrap.
Belinda Howden
Ahn Wells
Soozie Coumbe
Niomi Sands
Anna King
Emma-Lee Crane
Olivia Parsonage
Jessica Coughlin
Handwise I was held in 2008 at John Paynter Gallery, 90 Hunter St, Newcastle. Wells organised the exhibition and participated as an artist. Soozie Combe, Jessica Coughlan, Emma-Lee Crane, Belinda Howden, Anna King, Olivia Parsonage and Niomi Sands also showed their work which included woven twigs, crocheted copperwire, a giant material fork and a film of a sewing machine popping bubble wrap.
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