Fiona Veikkanen

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Friday, September 9, 2011

The potential of the blanket cave is unending- here is one to to pull out and enjoy at any given time. This compact, collapsible cave is portable and ready to delight and surprise at a moments notice, satisfying all your cosy cave cravings!

Collapsible Cave (or Tunnel) 2011. Sewn woollen blankets.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Blanket Cave or An Idea of Things

Poppy Malik makes subtle notions and sensations- doubts, fears, warmth and anticipation- beautifully tangible in her current show AN IDEA OF THINGS or the way things feel.

When Poppy Malik asked me to be a part of her show I was pretty excited, A fantastic artist to collaborate with, combined with good reason for making more woollen blanket art, i could not resist.

Poppy asked me to make a woollen blanket cave-somewhere to burrow down and nestle in amongst.

Blanket Cave

And then back into Poppy's hands for final touches and into the Gallery...

Poppy does not shirk at the use of glitter- She relishes it- transforming my dark den into her own brilliant cavern.

AN IDEA OF THINGS or the way things feel by Poppy Malik continues on at CCAS Manuka, Furneaux Street, Canberra until 11th September. 11-5pm.

Monday, August 15, 2011

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!)