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The Beginning
Late in 1996, thought was given as to how other Australian
states could be involved in celebrating the Fifth World Congress
on Coloured Sheep. Why not make A Map Of Australia? Why not!
Monique Wilson and Kaye Cooper discussed the idea, tabled
the concept to the Congress committee and then formed a sub-committee.
A time-line was established, design and guidelines discussed
and expressions of interest called for from all states.
But first it was agreed that the completed Map would remain
the property of the
Black & Coloured Sheep Breeders of Australia (Vic) Inc. At
the completion of the Congress the Map would be housed in a suitable
venue. Each piece was to be self-funded.
To our delight (and relief) everyone was very enthusiastic.
In discussing the colour of the project, we attempted to have
it made using black, grey and silver fleeces only. We were working
on an extension of the white on white concept.
Hindsight told us that this was too limiting. Some artists
were having difficulty in obtaining the colours required and
some just love brown and fawn fleece. (It was nearly political!)
The guidelines were amended to include all natural coloured wool.
Monique made the templates by photographing a map of Australia,
projecting it onto a wall, and then tracing the projection onto
vilene fabric. Copies were made, states cut out and forwarded
as templates.
Apart from deciding the states would be joined, placed onto
a backing, and mounted ready for hanging, we did not decide on
the finishing design of the project. We needed to see draft designs,
know the techniques being used and work without limits to bring
the collection of states together as a cohesive whole.
Our deadline for the states to arrive was January 1999. This
would give us five months to complete the work.
Then .....
The sub-committee met, usually by phone, as design ideas were
forwarded. Questions were answered, ideas were consolidated,
and finishing discussed. As the "states" started to
arrive, in November 1998, it was suggested the map could be photographed
and, if suitable, featured on the cover of the Congress proceedings
book.
Great! The last state had arrived in mid-February. However,
we were now working with a much earlier completion date. Due
to printing commitments, we now had only 8 weeks to get it all
together!
The map also took on a new persona. As well as being an interesting
and topical piece to take a place at the Congress, it was now
to take a larger focus. The standard of craftwork presented in
the individual states was exceptional, which enabled us a vision
of a work completed to a standard of excellence.
At this point, also, it is to a very co-operative and talented
sub-committee and other talented craftspeople that the convenor
became ever indebted and grateful.
During discussions it was agreed that the internal borders
needed to be defined. Lorraine Anderson, a dedicated, highly
skilled and caring craftsperson, agreed to make Kumihimo braid
for the borders and outline.
Lorraine discussed the braids with the Melbourne Kumihimo
Group and the sub-committee. Many samples were produced, and
once decided upon, Lorraine spent endless more hours in their
execution. They are all made from handspun singles yarn, generously
spun by The Pascoe Vale Spinners and Weavers Group.
Joan Dever secured us fifteen metres of cream 1.5m pure wool
gabardine donated by the CSIRO social club, - just perfect for
the backing fabric.
The Finishing
The states had all arrived. We were ready to put it all together.
At a sub-committee meeting where the backing-fabric was being
measured and cut ready for hemming, someone said, "We've
got so much fabric. Why don't we make the background double
and quilt it?" Agreed. So, with wool wadding sandwiched
between two backing pieces measuring 2.5 x 2.5 metres, Margaret
Ayton, a local textile artist, was asked to machine quilt it for
us. The quilting suggests the oceans and seas of Australia's
coastline.
The pieces took 10 hours to pin together ready for stitching,
and Margaret spent four days machining.
Next came the backing bindings. We did not want these to be
limp or flat so they are padded also and hand stitched to finish.
These took another four days.
The states were ladder stitched together, on the front and
then on the back. The whole was then stitched to the backing,
three times. Finally, Lorraine's beautiful Kumihimo braids
were stitched to the internal borders and then to the coastline.
This was done by the sub-committee, Margaret Ayton and Franciska
McLean.
Points of interest:
Each state design was completely independent - without
liaison.
We did not have a studio to work in.
Our sub-committee had to travel to work together.
The map was finished in a small room spread over three
kitchen tables.
The work was never hung before the day it was photographed
by Ellen Mueller.
The piece weighs almost 25 kilograms.
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