Sponsored: Fifteen years of Changing Threads

Changing Threads | Contemporary Textile Fibre Art Awards founder Ronnie Martin found herself immersed in creativity from very early in life. “I was the eldest of eight children and so we were always encouraged to make things, and reuse and recycle, which has since become very trendy.”

Originally satisfied with traditional spinning, knitting and weaving, Ronnie found more scope for artistic expression in quilting, but became frustrated with the constraints of the courses she was attending. Finally, an overseas tutor gave her some important advice: “You’re on the wrong side of the desk, you should be teaching.”

And as Ronnie focused more on artistic quilt pieces, she began to receive requests to teach, and even exhibit overseas.

“I became really fascinated with the different materials that were available which allowed for strong statements, and not just pretty pictures for a wall.”

A permanent move to Nelson saw Ronnie immersed in the local creative scene, eventually serving on the Arts Council. Meanwhile, a period of overseas travel opened her eyes to new possibilities.

“I visited a lot of galleries around Europe and experienced work which was just not being seen here. So I raised the possibility of having some sort of oneoff exhibition when I got back.”

This became the first Changing Threads | Contemporary Textile Fibre Art Awards in 2008, and the response was very encouraging.

“The next year, the response was even better,” she recalls. “It suddenly started to really take off. We were now getting pieces from all around the country, which was really exciting.”

Ronnie maintains she has learned a lot about staging exhibitions since those early days. Artists learned as well that they could widen their forms of presentation, and range of materials used.

“As well as natural materials and plant fibres we saw work using fish skin, plastics and coated wires, because right from the beginning our mission statement was to challenge the public’s perception of fibre and textile art.”

Ronnie emphasises that although execution is important, the concept is crucial, and the most successful exhibitors begin with a clear idea of what they want to say, and then how they want to say it.

Category constraints have also been removed over the years to allow artists to retain their creative openness rather than try to fit a brief.

The fifteenth show run by Arts Council Nelson, opened at Refinery Artspace in the middle of May, and it will sadly be Ronnie’s last as creative director.

“I think that’s long enough for anybody, but I also believe allowing an opportunity for change and the development of new ideas is important. I’ve loved it and am a little sad to be stepping back, but also very excited to see where the Contemporary Textile Fibre Art Awards goes next.”

Changing Threads | Contemporary Textile
Fibre Art Awards
May 17 - June 15
Refinery ArtSpace