Artists get a colourful heads-up at Beanies to Berets exhibition
Artworks are walking out the door – on the heads of customers – in the Beanies to Berets exhibition at Onkaparinga Gallery.
Arts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Arts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It’s a case of “beanie there, don hat” at an exhibition of wild, woolly and wearable art created by 20 Fleurieu Peninsula and southern suburbs textile artists.
The Beanies to Berets show at Onkaparinga Gallery features around 350 works of handmade headwear, although that number is decreasing as all the pieces are for sale and customers can wear them home.
Arts Centre co-ordinator Tim Rollason was inspired to start the annual exhibition by the Beanie Festival in Alice Springs, where he was previously director of the cultural precinct.
“We actually started off by trying to get the festival’s travelling exhibition to come here but something happened with the schedule … so we thought we’d do our own,” he said.
Dianne Richardson, from Henley Beach, sold her felted jackets, coats and scarfs at a market in the centre last year and was invited to turn her hand to making hats for the exhibition.
Wearers could express their individuality with the “crazy” works while keeping their heads warm, she said.
“It’s all recycled materials and fine merino wool. Felters are for freedom, flexibility, fun, scope and nonconformity … that’s our motto.”
Matt Aldous and Mark Jamieson from Noarlunga Downs have started their own business, Jamo Designs, to create knitwear for local craft markets.
“We’ve just started producing 100 per cent locally sourced wool, from Meadows,” Mr Aldous said.
Self-taught crochet artist Kate Murphy, of McLaren Vale, was contacted to take part after she posted some of her work on Facebook.
“It broadens people’s knowledge of what art is,” she said. “Art isn’t just a beautiful painting, it can be anything and a way that artists can express their emotions as well.”
Beanies to Berets runs at Onkaparinga Gallery, Port Noarlunga, until August 3.