In an Australian-first, a huge three-dimensional tapestry will take pride of place at the new Footscray Hospital, showcasing Victorian creativity and craftsmanship and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for patients, visitors and staff.
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks and Minister for Health Infrastructure Melissa Horne today visited the Australian Tapestry Workshop in South Melbourne to mark completion of the ground-breaking artwork, Welcome to Country – now you see me: seeing the invisible.
Created in collaboration with First Nations artists Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta/Wamba Wamba/Mutti Mutti/Boonwurrung) and Mitch Mahoney (Boonwurrung/Barkindji), the design draws inspiration from microscopic views of river reeds from the Maribyrnong River.
“It’s so important to think about new ideas to present traditional culture in a contemporary, positive, respectful way that embraces new mediums. It’s thrilling to be in the final stages of collaboration and witnessing our design realised through the artistry of the weavers,” said artist Maree Clarke.
“The weavers are amazing technical wizards of this old craft. The mastery involved in the many hands coming together to create a work that is an expression of two artists’ work – it’s the ultimate collaboration. To have twelve people create one work that looks like one hand made it is amazing, yet it has a bit of all of them in it,” added artist Mitch Mahoney.
Hand-woven over 10,000 hours by 12 weavers at the Australian Tapestry Workshop in South Melbourne, the tapestry measures a massive 42 square metres, weighs 135 kilograms and uses more than 270 kilometres of wool from farms across Victoria.
“Pieces like this make our hospitals more inviting places to visit and work, and they can have real benefits for health, recovery and healing,” said Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks. “From the incredible talents of artists Maree Clarke and Mitch Mahoney to the skilled weavers and the farms where the wool was sourced, this is a Victorian work through and through.”
This is not only Victoria’s largest tapestry commissioned for a public hospital, but also a first-of-its-kind – a 3D tapestry installation that merges contemporary design, traditional weaving and Indigenous storytelling in a public health setting.
Once the new Footscray Hospital opens, this stunning artwork will hang over two levels in the main foyer, creating a welcoming environment for patients, staff and visitors. The tapestry is part of a major three-year arts program for the hospital, led by Footscray Community Arts Centre.
For more information about the Australian Tapestry Workshop, visit: www.austapestry.com.au for details.
Image: Mitch Mahoney and Maree Clarke in front of their work, Welcome to Country – now you see me: seeing the invisible, at the Australian Tapestry Workshop – photo by Astrid Mulder