Lucy Irvine, Lecturer in Sculpture & Spatial Practice and in Textiles at the ANU School of Art & Design, has been commissioned by Tamworth Regional Gallery to create a public artwork that celebrates their 50-year-old textile collection.

The aim of the project is to present something from their collection that has been recognised for its national significance into the public space, whilst contributing to a sense of place. Lucy is collaborating with a local company, Andromeda Industries, who are specialists in world-class steel cable manufacturing, to realise the project. The artwork will be created for Bicentennial Park in Tamworth’s CBD.

The artwork aims to act as a landmark where people can meet and orientate themselves, a structure large enough to stand under and be sheltered by. Residents will be able to view the creation off the artwork, as it will involve weaving with steel cable directly on site. Bridget Guthrie, Director, Tamworth Regional Gallery and Museums, says she aims to have the public artwork installed by the end of the year, with a possible public launch depending on the Covid situation.

Tamworth Regional Gallery’s association with textile art dates back to the 1970’s. The gallery has focused on developing an Australian textile collection that embraces all related art and craft forms. It has made a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding contemporary craft practice in Australia, creating an important record of the changing nature and progress of textile practice from a national perspective.

Read more about Tamworth’s significant National Textile Collection here.