The Art of Wool
As Australia celebrates the Campaign for Wool, a regional art gallery in the heart of woolgrowing country is fusing fashion with art in a true celebration of the natural, biodegradable and renewable fibre.
Helping to bridge the gap between farm and fashion, the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), in Armidale, NSW, has been working alongside The Woolmark Company to present The Art of Wool exhibition in support of the global Campaign for Wool.
Woolgrowers and fashion lovers were united at the exhibition’s official opening on May 2, which sees NERAM’s extensive collection of Australian art paired with stunning garments from the coveted International Woolmark Prize.
With an emphasis on the work of young and emerging international fashion designers including 2013/14 International Woolmark Prize winner Rahul Mishra and Australian designers Alistair Trung, Christopher Esber, Dion Lee, Ellery, Magdalena Velevska and STRATEUS.CARLUCCI, the pairing of garments from International Woolmark Prize alumni with wool-inspired artwork develops a dialogue that speaks to both contextual influences and visual synchronicities.
Helping consumers Live naturally, Choose wool, The Art of Wool exhibition illustrates not only the significance the Australian wool industry has had in shaping the nation, but also the true versatility of the premium, natural fibre.
“NERAM’s extraordinary collections are rich with artworks that depict all aspects of the wool industry – from prize sheep to shearing sheds, farm work to hand knitting – sheep and wool have provided inspiration to generations of Australian artists,” explains exhibition curator Tanya Zoe Robinson.
“We are very fortunate to be working with The Woolmark Company for this exhibition. Their International Woolmark Prize garments help us present new relationships between art and fashion that add to an understanding of the place of wool in the artistic imagination.”
The Art of Wool is open to the public until August 2 at the New England Regional Art Museum, Kentucky Street, NSW.
