Woven Tapestry – Ancient Art of NZ

An exhibition by The Tapestry Network.

The Tapestry Network was established in 2012. It’s formation followed on from the demise of the Tapestry Network of New Zealand in 2010. It was recognised that weavers from all over the country wanted to continue networking, so the current network was established to enable contact to be made via newsletter, the occasional workshop and retreat.

There are approximately 60 paid up members from both New Zealand and Australia, ranging from beginners to very experienced weavers. Many members’ work has been exhibited at National and international level, with some receiving top awards for their work both here and overseas.

One area (Whangarei) has set up a community project, which invites members of the public to ‘have a go’. Many of our members meet regularly to exchange ideas and to spend time just weaving. Regular mid-year retreats are held over a long weekend, usually near Taupo, in which members can catch up with friends to weave and talk tapestry. In 2018, a few members attended a Tapestry retreat in Australia.

Members work in differing sizes, predominantly in small format, though there are many who weave larger tapestries. Every year there is an Australian/New Zealand Challenge where small tapestries are woven and displayed at the Creative Fibre Festival in New Zealand and then sent to Australia to be viewed at different venues.

Some members have exhibited in the Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries, held at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, Marilyn Rae-Menzies won the award in 2015 and Sue Weir was commended in the Irene Davies Award for artists in their first 5 years of practice. Members have won awards at the Creative Fibre National Exhibition which is held biannually.

There are members who are internationally recognised, and who hold their own exhibitions. Three of our members also belong to the Professional Weavers Network of NZ.

We have people who teach tapestry weaving, and there is a camaraderie between members, where more experienced weavers are always available to help beginners with technique and design.

Now is the time to hold a National Exhibition at CAN, as we believe that there is a level of competency within our Network to achieve a high quality body of work.