SUSAN HOLMES: Fabric Artist
Curated by Cerys Dallaway-Davidson and Doris de Pont
@ OBJECTSPACE – Auckland
Saturday 19 November 2016 – Saturday 4 February 2017
Working as a fabric artist since 1971, Susan Holmes is recognised for her intuitive engagement with fabrics spanning five decades. From simple beginnings producing potato print scarves and shirts, she soon established a reputation for creating beautiful fashion garments which she sold at Brown’s Mill. Constantly improvising and devising new techniques of printing, dyeing, stencilling, spraying and manipulating fabrics, her work has remained inventive and creative. She is now most well known for her contribution to wearable art as one of the most awarded World of WearableArt™ designers in New Zealand. Susan Holmes: Fabric Artist at Objectspace is the fifth major commissioned project in Objectspace’s Masters of Craft series and honours Holmes mastery of textile craft.
Celebrated alongside the exhibition is the book “Susan Holmes: Fabric Artist,” published by Bateman and written by exhibition co-curator Cerys Dallaway-Davidson. The book brings Susan Holmes’ story to life, told through numerous fascinating images and an engaging, insightful narrative. It explores Holmes’ creative drive that propelled her into fabric design, accompanied by contemporary and historic photographs of her work. Dallaway-Davidson has curated Susan Holmes: Fabric Artist for Objectspace with Doris De Pont, curator and founder of the New Zealand Fashion Museum.
Objectspace’s Masters of Craft exhibition series celebrates the achievements of outstanding New Zealand practitioners working at the highest level in the fields of craft, design and the applied arts whose practice is distinctive, enduring, influential and redefining of tradition. Susan Holmes is arguably New Zealand’s most accomplished and acclaimed fabric artists.
Public Programmes
Susan Holmes Floortalk
Saturday 19 November, 2pm
Floortalk with Susan Holmes, accompanied by exhibition curators Cerys Dallaway-Davidson and Doris de Pont.
K’Road First Thursdays Late Night with Susan Holmes
Thursday 1 December, Objectspace open until 9pm
Fabric artist Susan Holmes joins us this evening, alongside curators Cerys Dallaway-Davidson and Doris de Pont, in our exhibition celebrating her almost five decade long career. We invite you to wear your Susan Holmes garments and share its story with Susan and the team, or bring it along and have it photographed and learn more about Susan’s incredible work.
Printing Workshop with Susan Holmes
Saturday 3 December, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Objectspace presents a one off workshop with fabric artist Susan Holmes. Susan will demonstrate the unique fabric printing techniques she developed during her extensive career. Participants will make their own stencils, and print a cotton tote bag to take home, or give to someone as a unique Christmas gift.
This workshop will be held at Studio One Toi Tū , 1 Ponsonby Rd. All materials provided. The workshop is suitable for ages 16 and up.
$35 per person, bookings essential. Email info@objectspace.org.nz to secure a place.