Australian Tapestry Workshop

UPDATE | ‘Welcome to Country - now you see me: seeing the invisible’ Last week, we conducted a trial hang of ‘Welcome to Country – now you see me: seeing the invisible’ at the Melbourne Convention Centre, testing how Australia’s first ever 3D tapestry would hang. This long-anticipated moment did not disappoint. With expert support from ICS Conservation, the two panels were joined and hung in an ellipse, bringing to life the ambitious vision of artists Maree Clarke (Yorta Yorta/Wamba Wamba/Mutti Mutti/Boonwurrung) and Mitch Mahoney (Boonwurrung/Barkindji). The result is breathtaking. We can’t wait to see it installed at the New Footscray Hospital in the coming months, where it will bring joy and calm to a space that can often feel overwhelming. Created over 14 months by our team of 12 weavers and two dyeing specialists, this tapestry is the product of more than 10,000 hours of extraordinary collaboration and skilled craftsmanship. The new Footscray Hospital tapestry is a collaboration between Plenary Health (@plenarygroup ), the official arts partner for the new hospital, Footscray Community Arts (@footscrayarts ), the Australian Tapestry Workshop, and the Tapestry Foundation of Australia, in collaboration with the Victorian Health Building Authority and Western Health (@westernhealthau ). The tapestry commission is supported by the Premier’s Suite, a partnership between the Tapestry Foundation of Australia, the State Government of Victoria, and the Australian Hotels Association. Maree Clarke (@ree_clarke ) and Mitch Mahoney (@mitch_mahoney_art ) are represented by Vivien Anderson Gallery (@vivienandersongallery ). @ics_conservation Photo: @astridmulder.photography

ANNOUNCEMENT | ‘Salt Creep with Fence No. 2’ We are thrilled to share that work has commenced on a major new tapestry for the permanent collection of @sam_shepparton . The piece is inspired by the late Philip Hunter’s 2008 painting ‘Salt Creep with Fence No. 2’ and is being developed under the guidance of artist Dr Vera Möller, Hunter’s partner. Philip Hunter is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading landscape painters, known for his restrained earth-toned palette and visually dense, large-scale works. Translating ‘Salt Creep with Fence No. 2’ to tapestry will be a welcome challenge for our weaving team, led by Emma Sulzer with Saffron Gordan, Pamela Joyce, Cheryl Thornton and Dr Caroline Tully. We look forward to sharing progress in the months ahead. - Pictured: ‘Salt Creep with Fence No. 2’ Tapestry in progress, Photography by ATW. This project is generously supported by Metal Manufacturers Limited.

Congratulations, Ema Shin! This week saw the opening of the 25th Biennale of Sydney. 'Hearts of Absent Women' was created over 18 months at ATW, with the assistance of ATW weaver Saffron Gordon. We are honoured to have played a part in supporting this work’s creation. We are deeply grateful to Ema for her vision and for pushing the medium of tapestry to new and extraordinary heights. You can see ‘Hearts of Absent Women’ now at the Chau Chak Wing Museum as part of the 25th Biennale of Sydney: Rememory, on view until 14 June 2026. - Photography by Selina Ou @biennalesydney @ccwm_sydney @ema.shin @gallerysmith_ @saffronlilygordon @selinaou.photo

WORKSHOP | Sculptural Weaving with Claudia Bloxsome Discover a fresh approach to textile making in this hands-on workshop that pushes the boundaries of weaving. Using yarn, wire, and locally foraged fibres, you’ll learn how to create dynamic, three-dimensional sculptural forms. Claudia Bloxsome is a contemporary fibre artist whose practice explores the transformation of woven textiles into sculptural forms, drawing on themes of time, care, and materiality. Claudia will show you how to build self-supporting, hollow, and layered structures and you’ll explore new ways of thinking about fibre, form, and structure. Open to beginners and experienced makers alike, this workshop is designed to inspire new ways of thinking and making through hands-on exploration. Sculptural Weaving with Claudia Bloxsome 🗓️ Saturday 13 June 🕚 1 - 4 pm 🎟️ Adult $165 | ATW Friends / Concession $150 🔗 Spots are limited, book now via link in bio — Pictured: 1. Claudia Bloxsome, ‘Mother Love’, 2026, courtesy of the artist. 2. Portrait of Claudia Bloxsome by @dylan.guy | 3. Studio Detail, courtesy of the artist. @cloudmaystudio

INTRODUCING | Emma Stenhouse Our 2026 Regional Artist in Residence, Emma Stenhouse, a proud Ngarrindjeri woman and contemporary artist, has arrived at ATW! During her ATW residency, Emma will investigate material traditions linked to ritual and cultural knowledge, experiment with tapestry weaving techniques and explore botanical dyes. Emma’s practice centres on “storyworks,” shaped by a deep relationship to land and guided by strong female role models in her community. Growing up in Broken Hill, NSW, she draws on the practices of caring for Country, and the knowledge held within her family to ensure these traditions continue for future generations. Visit ATW to view Emma’s exhibition or join her workshop: ▪ Traditional Weaving with Native Grasses 🗓️ Saturday 20 June 🕚 1 - 3 pm 🎟️ Adult $140 | ATW Friends / Concession $126 🔗 Book via link in bio ▪ Exhibition 🗓️ 14 May - 27 June — Pictured: 1. Portrait of Emma Stenhouse by Artist Lane | 2. Emma Stenhouse ‘Woven lomandra sections’, 2025, Photography by Colour Factory. @emmastenhouseart The Regional Residency is generously supported by Alayne Davies through the Irene Davies Residency Scholarship and ADFAS Yarra.

ON NOW | Floras Localis: Colour + Place Floras Localis: Colour + Place brings together practitioners connected by a shared exploration of colour, materiality and place. Combining natural dyeing and circular design methodologies, the works develop hyper local palettes drawn directly from the Australian landscapes through foraged, found, and reclaimed materials. The exhibition unfolds as a series of textiles, ceramics, jewellery and vessels that trace the dialogue between design and site. Including works by Sally Evans + Heather Thomas, Joanna Fowles, Tammy Gilson (Waddawurrung), Siri Hayes, Amanda Ho, Spiraro, Georgia Stevenson and Melinda Young. Floras Localis: Colour + Place 🗓 7 May - 11 July 📍 Australian Tapestry Workshop 🔗 Read more via the link in bio Part of Melbourne Design Week (14–24 May 2026), presented by @NGVMelbourne and @Creative_Vic #NGV #MelbourneDesignWeek #CreativeVic #CreativeState @f_emera @wildheather_australia @joannafowles @tammy.gilson.52 @sirihayes @spiraro__ @madebymelindayoung @georgiastevensonceramics @howardmoonage @theweaversworkroom Pictured: Melinda Young, ‘Landlines’ (Speculative Vessels – carved, gathered, stitched, crusted, rusted, stained) 2021 - 2025. Various materials. Photography courtesy of the artist.

Thoughtful Gifts For Women Who Inspire Us What do you give the women in your life, whether a mother, mentor, or loved one, when you’re looking for something lasting? The tapestries pictured here offer something beautiful and quietly absorbing. These unique, collectable works of contemporary art bring warmth and depth to any space. - Explorative Study - Pink Heath, 1979. Designed by Marie Cook, Woven by ATW. Wool and cotton. 42 x 36 cm. Explorative Study - Untitled II, 2003. Designed by Margaret Stones, Woven by Chris Cochius. Wool and cotton. 22 x 25 cm. Explorative Study - Yarra Valley Wild Flowers, 1988. Designed by Faye Plamka, Woven by ATW. Wool and cotton. 22 x 26 cm.

CLOSING SOON | Marjorie Street – Chris & Friends It’s your last chance to see ‘Marjorie Street – Chris & Friends’, a curated collection of works that showcase the breadth and diversity of artists working at the Arts Project Australia studio. Curated by recent ATW Artist in Residence Chris O’Brien, alongside Carolyn Hawkins and Jodie Kipps. Featuring works by Alanna Dodd, Matt Gove, Bronwyn Hack, Adrian Lazzaro, Joanne Nethercote, Chris O’Brien, Rosie O’Brien, Mark Smith, and Jade Tomsic. 🗓 Last day: Saturday 2 May 📍 Australian Tapestry Workshop 🕑 Gallery Open: 10 am – 5pm, Thursday – Saturday 🔗 Read more via the link in bio - Pictured: 1. Joanne Nethercote ‘Queen Cat’, 2025. Cotton, cotton thread. 43 x 43 cm | 2. Rosie O'Brien ‘Autumn Leaves’, 2025. Cotton, cotton thread, embroidery. 40 x 24 cm | 3. Chris O'Brien ‘Mona Vale 328 Clarke St. Northcote’, 2025. Cloth, cotton, embroidery, wool, fabric.17 x 25 cm | 4. Adrian Lazzaro ‘Giant High Teddy Bear’, 2021. Calico, and mixed materials. 77 x 41.5 cm. Photography by ATW. @chrisobrien467 @carolyn.helen @jodie.l.kipps @artsprojectaust

Bring Depth and Warmth Into Your Space Tapestries bring a distinctive richness to an interior. The softness of fibre adds warmth and texture, and the work changes subtly over the course of the day as light plays across the woven surface. Tapestries soften architectural edges, enhance acoustics, and bring a calm, grounded presence to a space. Rooted in enduring textile traditions and shaped by hand, they carry embodied knowledge and cultural weight, becoming a tangible human presence in the room. Explore the featured works via the catalogue link in our bio, or contact us at [email protected] to discuss commissioning a unique work for your space. - Photography by ATW

Threaded Narratives has been extended to 24 April due to popular demand! Celebrating five decades of collaboration with leading female artists including Mirka Mora, Lesley Dumbrell, Judy Watson, Pantjiti Mary McLean, Emily Ferretti and Karen Black. As we approach the final days, we invite you to collect your own part of this legacy. A curated selection of exclusive, hand-woven works remains available, from intimate studies to statement pieces, each created by our master weavers in collaboration with leading women artists. This is a rare opportunity to bring home a piece of the Australian Tapestry Workshop, each artwork embodying both artistic excellence and cultural significance. Visit our South Melbourne gallery or get in touch with us at [email protected] to learn more.

À Sydney, Nasri Sayegh recoud une mémoire libanaise à vif À la Biennale australienne, l’artiste déploie une œuvre habitée par la guerre, mêlant archives et broderie pour interroger un passé fragmenté et toujours brûlant. Propos recueillis par Maya Ghandour Hert @maya.g.h pour L’Orient-le-Jour, le 10 avril 2026 @lorientlejour_olj Photos de Michelle Sakaris @austapestry @michelle.sakaris @hooralq @t.ravers @tenmurderedoranges @biennalesydney @campbelltownartscentre

Looking for free school holiday activities? Join us at ATW this Saturday for a relaxed, drop in Weaving Play session, perfect for beginners of all ages, especially kids and families. Explore simple weaving techniques and get creative with a colourful mix of materials, including wool offcuts, recycled fabric and paper, all provided. Slow down, get hands on, connect with your neighbours, and join the tactile rebellion against screen time. This is a drop-in session on a first-come, first-served basis. The activity takes around an hour, and there may be a short wait. Weaving Play 🗓 Date: Saturday 11 April 📍 Location: Australian Tapestry Workshop, 262–266 Park Street, South Melbourne 🕑 Time: 1 pm - 4 pm 🎟 Cost: Free 🔗 More information at the link in bio - Weaving Play is made possible thanks to the support of Bendigo Community Bank Elwood, The Palais Theatre Community Fund, and the South Melbourne Community Chest. Photography by ATW. @communitybank_elwood @palaistheatre @southmelbopshop