Visitors to the HAS Treasures Christmas Exhibition and Sale at Wallarobba this week will have noticed some very strange goings-on. Strips and snips of blue fabric, paper and ribbons of Indigo blue, are taking over the building!!
Tendrils of colour have wound their way up the grand staircase, heralding an upcoming event. The grand old dame is blushing blue! Who is responsible for all of this and why?
The staircases installation, brainchild of Hornsby artist and printmaker Michelle Mabbott includes ribbon, fabric remnants, string, paper fragments, scraps of artwork and found objects including feathers, birds nest and the pocket from a pair of denim jeans- all in various shades of Indigo and blue.
Other "blue bombing" installations have occurred, and more are planned, inside and out. Look out for the beautiful Shibori-dyed textiles by Lisa McArthur-Edwards that will grace the entry foyer walls from 10th December.
The Press Gang
So, why all this blue? "The Press Gang" have been busy preparing for their next printmaking exhibition Indigo Their very diverse, and fascinating artworks, explore the rich history and ongoing cultural influence of the colour, one of the most widely used dyestuffs, known since ancient man.
The inspiring light behind Indigo was local artist Frances Brown, mentioning the possibility of printing using an indigo coloured ink, during a conversation in the print studio in late 2012. From there, Indigo was adopted as this year's theme for the Press Gang's annual exhibition and has since become a "blue movement". Hence the blue staircase at Wallarobba!
Frances Brown, Michelle Mabbott and John Crawford working on the staircase installation at Wallarobba
John Crawford, the founder and facilitator of The Press Gang Printmakers of Wallarobba will run his solo art show ‘Moku Hanga’ concurrently with Indigo in the downstairs art space. John will present an exhibition with a contemporary approach to traditional Japanese woodblock prints; this work spans a two and a half year period.
The Indigo exhibition will be presented in the upstairs space at Wallarobba. Framed and unframed works, will be on display. Enjoy the complete experience of viewing a lovingly restored heritage building, further enhanced by a unique art show.
Indigo
Monday 9th December 12 noon – 4pm.
Tuesday 10th December to Saturday 21st December, 10am – 4pm daily.
Opening Night & Supper Wednesday 11th December, 7pm, All welcome.
Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 21 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby.
Rear of Willow Park, free admission, parking, wheelchair access, lift.
The Press Gang sincerely thank Hornsby Council, and Hornsby Art Society, who have generously agreed to the additional decorative measures as pre-publicity for Indigo
