From Our Hands

by Kath O'Halloran & Jan van der Weele

Date: Jun 13 – Jun 26Space: Small Gallery

This exhibition is about taking conventional craft & materials and turning them into the unexpected.

Kath O’Halloran – “In 2007 I saw a felting demonstration and I couldn’t believe the magic of turning wool into fabric. I knew it was something I needed to do. After doing a felting workshop, I was hooked. I love everything about it; the sustainability of the wool, the feel of it turning into fabric. I can add all sorts of other materials and make something that is unique to me. The really great thing about felting is if it’s a complete disaster I can put it into my worm farm and they turn it into compost.”

Jan van der Weele – “About 15 years ago a dear friend introduced me to the Hawkes Bay Embroiderers Guild and I began to learn about the wide variety of stitching you can do.  Then I meet Kath, my mum and I did a class with her where we made a felted hat each.  That opened a whole new world of mixed media arts for me.

On the journey I have meet some wonderful tutors and hugely creative people who have generously shared their knowledge.  The introduction to the use of metals, experimenting with baby wipes, chocolate wrappers, paints, paper and mixing fibres in felting, spinning and weaving opened the world of anything goes.  I love nature, flowers and the beach and gentle way colours appear in different environments.

I like to use found pieces, op shop pick ups and bits that friends have no further use of.  Friends often pass me odds and ends for my “stash” and I hope they enjoy seeing bits that they may recognise in this exhibition.”

Opening night Friday June 13th 5-7pm.