Fuzz, Felt and Fur
Fuzz. Felt and Fur, July 31- October 31, is an exciting new interactive exhibition for children that celebrates the magical touch of textiles. Featuring craft-based items from TheNewDowse collection, and supplemented by touch-friendly samples of materials and textiles, children will delight in the sensory magic of texture and touch.
Infused with a sense of playfulness, the exhibition showcases an eclectic range of over 25 textile objects by some of New Zealand’s leading textile artists, including Malcolm Harrison, Gordon Crook, Maiangi Waitai, Lauren Lysaght, Andrea du Chatenier and Kerrie Hughes. Fuzz, Felt and Fur also features a costume designed by Kristian Fredrikson for the Royal NZ Ballet and two stunning works by acclaimed Te Atiawa weaver Erenora Puketapu Hetet .
Curator Leanne Wickham says Fuzz, Felt and Fur builds on TheNewDowse’s reputation for developing high quality children’s exhibitions, like the extremely popular Tickle My Senses in 2009 and Believe it or not..? in 2008. The show is aimed primarily at children aged three to 10 years old and is divided thematically into three sections, each relating to different types of textiles: animal, mineral and vegetable.
The artworks include large scale rugs, bright wall hangings, crazy costumes, weaving, sculpture and quirky craft objects. Alongside each object, there will be a cushioned sample of the material/fabric/textile that children can get up close to. Textiles featured will include wool, felt, fur, lace, velvet, sisal, hemp, silk, satin, taffeta, seaweed, hessian, tapa cloth, vinyl and lycra. Forms of textiles will include weaving, knitting, quilting, lace work, tapestry and felting.
Image caption:
Jenny Hunt, Green Scene II. Collection of TheNewDowse
Gift of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
TheNewDowse
45 Laings Road
Lower Hutt
Mon-Fri 10 - 4.30pm,
Sat&Sun 10-5pm
Member Profile
The Dowse Art MuseumThe Dowse Art Museum presents a diverse exhibition programme of local, national and international contemporary artists and designers. Well established as one of New Zealand’s leading contemporary galleries, The Dowse celebrates creativity across a range of arts disciplines, including sculpture, jewellery, photography, architecture, craft and technology.
A dynamic calendar of public programmes complements each exhibition season with curators' and artists' talks, school holiday programmes and workshops attracting visitors of all ages.
Live performances include a monthly Late Lounge sessions that showcases New Zealand music in a relaxed, family friendly environment.
The Dowse building is a showcase of sustainable and innovative design and a meeting place for many communities – a place for performances, workshops, product launches, fashion parades, weddings and more. The Dowse houses twelve exhibition spaces, a café, shopette, an outdoor courtyard, a creative workshop specially designed for hands-on classes and a family lounge.
Full details on www.dowse.org.nz, www.facebook.com/thedowseartmuseum
Open: Mon–Fri 10am–4.30pm, Sat–Sun 10am–5pm
.jpg "Manganese Blue Line, 5 hours 57 minutes 2009. Courtesy of Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts and Two Rooms, Auckland")
