An enduring love of the perfect simplicity of Japanese style inspired Studio Altenburg Director, Gina Oldham, to showcase works that draw on Japanese vintage textiles and traditional techniques. From the on-going presence of creations by Shuji Yamazaki, Lis Mertens and Annie Johnston in her gallery shop, her forthcoming exhibition 'Vintage Japan' has emerged. Works by Sam Halliday, Beverley Flemming, Mary Taguchi, Margaret Davies and Liz Taverner are also included. "Simplicity, beauty, perfect quality and fabulous presentation" are some of the qualities Oldham admires in Japanese works.
Shuji Yamazaki has lived in Australia since 1995 and now resides in Canberra. He is a full-time craftsman in timbers, bamboo and washi (handmade Japanese mulberry paper) and presents lamps using traditional Japanese design and craft techniques - though the materials have been modified to provide illumination for a typical Australian setting.
Mary Taguchi, of Lake Bathurst, has both an academic and artistic interest in Japanese culture. She has worked with Japanese craftsmen and women for over 25 years involved in the continuing mingei tradition of Japan - that is the arts of the common man. Of particular interest are the indigo dyed work fabrics from which clothing is made. The simple and stylish one off wearable art pieces she displays use both pure cotton hand made vintage fabrics and new fabrics created using the original designs and patterns from the Edo and Meiji eras.
Lis Mertens exhibits pieces that utilise nuno and silk felt for "wearable art" accessories - hats, scarfs, shawls, gloves and fabulous wide decorative "belts.
"Nuno" is the Japanese word for "cloth".
Annie Johnston, from Mossy Point revels in the use of wool felt, which she says enables her to "incorporate various fibres, yarns and fabrics into the felt creating stunning individual items".
Well known Victorian artisan, Beverley Flemming employs traditional Japanese sewing techniques and vintage Japanese fabrics she has collected for many years to create 'cicada' pull-string purses that have been hand stitched and beaded. Also Beverley will exhibit vintage silk banners collaged with old Japanese photos printed onto the silk.
Sam Halliday is an artisan of international repute. Furniture, lamps and screens are his forte. He exhibits lamps that have been made with traditional Japanese techniques.
Margaret Davies and Liz Taverner's are both quilters. Davies' work is made from silk and cotton, whilst Taverner works in cotton.
This exhibition will be a small taste of a cultural tradition that continues to stimulate world-wide interest for its enduring discipline and extraordinary beauty.
The exhibition was opened by Braidwood resident Meredith McKinney, Japanese academic and daughter of poet Judith Wright, who reflected on the ongoing fusion of old and new, as well as Eastern and Western cultural traditions in contemporary Japan.
Exhibition runs until 30 June.
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