Keywords: australia, crochet, enamel, enamelling, esther paleologos, knitting, melbourne, metals, victoria, wool, cotton, electrical copper, lurex, metallic, stainless steel, textiles, wire

Transcript

Esther has adventurously explored new processes and fibres for knitted textiles. With subtle combinations of standard and non-standard fibres and finishing processes, Paleologos creates 3D and sculptural knitted fabric structures. Some made by hand, some using a knitting machine but working it manually, some crocheted, some hand knitted. The dark centres of her work are hand worked. Paleologos has elevated knitting to sculptural forms. The transition from hand to machine work is imperceptible. Once threads are knitted they are then manipulated by hand to perfect the shapes. Blends of cotton and wool combined with metallic threads will stay where they are positioned because of the metallic structures. Wire has a memory and can be shaped to perfection and just stays put.

Memory

Esther Paleologos

Dimensions

1030 x 270 X 30 mm (largest)

Materials

Lace textiles (3): hand-operated domestic machine knitting and crochet using copper enamelled wire, electrical copper wire, stainless steel wool blend, lurex and metallic cotton

Artist statement

‘Memory is an ode to childhood memories of making and mending textiles. My mother’s hands slipping through time and beginning with a ball of yarn to complete an item of security, warmth and tradition.

The defining characteristic of my work is the exploration of the inherent qualities of the domestic machine-knitted textile. The interplay of positive and negative space, three-dimensional constructions and contrasts of opacity and transparency have evolved into a major area of exploration. The sculptural qualities achieved through the use of media such as copper wire and nylon, in combination with fibres such as wool and cotton, can evoke a sense of space and form.’

Winner: Traditional techniques