the red thread: Inspiration at the Powerhouse

Two years ago I blogged (click on that link and be blown away!) about the breathtaking work of Shane Waltener, and on the weekend I got to meet him and participate in an art installation. Shane has been in Sydney as part of the Love Lace events at the Powerhouse Museum, and on Saturday he was at the Handmade Revolution open day at Powerhouse Discovery Centre, Castle Hill.

The installation was a large scale weaving using rope and twine, and a grove of eucalypts as a loom. Roxy and I spent literally hours weaving between the trees and had a fantastic time. Shane and his helpers demonstrated the basics and then left everyone to create. It was so enjoyable and lovely to watch people coming and going and the web-like structure growing and spreading amongst the trees.

There was also giant knitting and French knitting which was a lot of fun, and we also did some weaving (on a small scale). The program also included an indigenous weaving demonstration, paper cutting and lectures about lace which unfortunately didn't interest Miss Seven-and--half.

We ran into lovely friends and bloggers: Lexi, Kristen, Sarah, Cass, and Suzy, and had a truly awesome day.

Later this week I'm hoping to squeeze in a visit to the Love Lace exhibition at the Powerhouse. Shane was telling Lexi and I about the massive woven installation he created with the help of about 300 people over a number of days. The exhibition looks amazing with 130 lace works by 134 artists from 20 countries - the winners and finalists in the Powerhouse Museum International Lace Award. I can't wait to see it.

Images above: Powerhouse Museum