"Kimono As Canvas"
2001-05-11 until 2001-06-10
Cairns Regional Gallery
Cairns, QL, AU

As in previous years, Cairns Regional Gallery joins the Japan Week celebrations with a contemporary textile exhibition, Kimono As Canvas. Opening on Saturday May 12, Kimono As Canvas features the work of 13 contemporary fibre and textile artists, of both Australian and Japanese origins. An Arts on the Move Touring exhibition Kimono on Canvas, explores the manipulation of materials in the creation of new and exciting artworks, utilising the traditional Japanese kimonos at the actual canvas.

Showcasing the work of 5 Western Australian, 3 Eastern State and 3 Japanese artists, Kimono As Canvas, also features 13 original Japanese prints from the Edo period (1600-1868). The prints, 13 traditional woodblock prints, are 18th and 19th century, publicity shots, produced at the time to promote and glorify in the glamorous status and stunning costumes of the courtesans and actors of the day; they can be related to the promotional photos used by the Hollywood stars of 2001.

The kimono has served as an excellent canvas for the textile artists featuring this exhibition, which also illustrates the cultural influences between Australia and Japan in the development of contemporary textile techniques and design.

Artists featured in Kimono As Canvas include Margaret Ainscow, Moira Doropoulos, Anne Farren, Wendy Lugg, Patricia Black, Vivien Haley, Barbara Rogers, Liz Williamson, Keiko Amenomori, Keiko Kanesaki, Hiroyuki Shindo and Koji Takaki.

Featuring 26 artworks in total, Kimono on Canvas provides viewers with unique access to significant expressions of contemporary textile art, within the historical framework of intercultural influence.

Kimono As Canvas opens at Cairns Regional Gallery on Saturday May 12, and will be on display in the Loft Gallery until June 10th, 2001.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for Australia

Other Important Exhibitions in Australia