Wall Wool

A few words on Wall Wool…

Wall Wool is a vibrant and densely collective artwork referencing optical illusions and traditional African American quilts. Quilt/ craft references need not be a cue for this work to be snobbishly dismissed. The history of each individual piece- generously supplied for this project, specifically shaped and hand stitched into an arcing whole- creates a depth and resonance that would not have been possible with any other medium.

Entirely hand sewn, Wall Wool is comprised of well over one thousand pieces of wool, derived from woollen garments collected over the course of the project.  Strictly limiting the use of materials to those that were donated placed the role of my community into a fundamentally important position. After the generous contributions of unwanted old woollies, a colour palette was established and construction began! Each woollen garment went through a process of felting and shaping, before being carefully snipped and hand stitched together. 

I made this artwork because I wanted to find out what it would take to impart an object/artwork with meaning. I hoped that the massive amount of energy put into the process of collection and construction would be somehow retained within the artwork when completed.

This has been an epic progression to my musings.  I hope you feel at least a little warmer- or welcome.

(Photos by James Boyce and Julia Boyd-Thankyou so very much!)

Wintry Warmth (a little while ago)

Warmth and Welcome

An exhibition by Fiona Veikkanen

The Front Gallery and Cafe, 6-11th July,  2011. 

This exhibition is about warmth - warmth and welcome, comfortable and cosy on a chilly Canberra evening. Woollen garments, blankets and yarn have been generously contributed and collected, now transformed into a show including sculpture, textiles, books and drawing.  These artworks convey the ways we keep warm, and the nourishment derived from a lovingly handmade object.  Resonating with the intensity of making, there is something so appealing about a handmade- homemade- object; be it a carefully constructed birthday card, freshly baked bread, or a hand knitted woollen.   These objects somehow hold on to the spirit of their hand worked creation.  They simply cannot possibly compare to their mass manufactured store bought counterparts. 

There is SOMETHING heart-warming about the individual creating that is retained within a handmade object.

This SOMETHING is what I am interested in.

(Photos by Julia Boyd and James Boyce-Thankyou so very much!)

 

Woollen blankets, 2011. Woollen blankets.     

Wooooolies zine, 2011.  Photocopied paper.                        

Wall Wool on Paper, 2011, Permanent marker on watercolour paper.

My Warmest Welcome, 1-20, 2011. Wool, paper, badges, tea. 

Packaged Wool, 2011. Wool and paper.                         

 Six and a Bit Balls of Wool, 2011. Six and a bit balls of wool.       

 I Wanted to Bake for You, 2011.  Water colour and pencil on paper in frame, glass jar, wool and guesses on paper.         

 Wall Wool, 2011. Reused woollen clothing, cotton thread (background) 

Warm Wool, 2011.  Woollen blanket, steel, found objects, wire, fibre fill, thread.(foreground)    

 Warm Wool (Breville) 2011. Woollen blankets, found objects, thread.        

                

                           

The Way You Make Me Feel Sometimes

The Way You make me Feel Sometimes, 2011. Wool.  Dimensions variable.

The Way You make me Feel Sometimes, 2011. Wool.  Dimensions variable. (In motion)

The Way You make me Feel Sometimes, 2011. Wool.  Dimensions variable. (Crush installation Shot)