Teaching
Ilka’s popular workshops and classes reflect her love of the handmade and her contemporary use of traditional making methods. An experienced and dedicated teacher, she’s a great believer in the ability of beauty and creativity to lift the spirit.
Ilka taught Contemporary Art and Design, Weaving and Textile History at RMIT University for 12 years and was teaching artist in residence at the ANU School of Art in 2012. She also teaches through guilds and art centres, from public galleries and country halls, community hubs, retreats, parks and neighbourhood houses.
Ilka holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Monash University and an Associate Diploma in Studio Textiles from Melbourne Institute of Textiles (now RMIT). She has exhibited internationally and her work is represented in the public collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, RMIT University and private collections in Australia, U.K. and U.S.A.
Her work appears in a variety of publications including Textiles: The Art of Mankind (Thames & Hudson, London. 2012), Art Textiles of the World – Australia Vol. 2 (Telos, U.K. 2007), The Melbourne Design Guide (Lab.3000, 2006) and Handmade in Melbourne (GSP Books, Melbourne 2006).
Recent Workshops and Artist Talks:
Victorian Handspinners and Weavers Guild Certificate courses
Interwoven - visitor participation + workshops & intro course
Hamilton - weekend Weaving Intensive 2018
Fibres West - week-long residential in 3D Textiles, 2015
Bendigo Weaving Design Course
testimonials
“
One of the best one-day courses I’ve been to. Really succinct and hands on. Leant so much in a short amount of time. Ilka was so lovely, and really passionate about what she does. Really inspiring! ”
“‘An outstanding tutor, generous with her knowledge and enormously supportive of her students..’”
““The natural dyeing workshop with Ilka White was such a great opportunity to learn from a skilled and generous teacher. Being a hands-on workshop the information we were given could be applied and we had ample opportunity to ask many questions and have answered by Ilka who has a wealth of knowledge and an approach to teaching that makes the learning interesting and accessible. A really worthwhile workshop.”
”
““Ilka lead a magical class where ancient craft met playful experimentation. Her passion and skill was infectious and illuminating how skills in natural dying helped one see ‘the hidden palate of nature’ was revelatory. Thanks so much for your detail and generosity.””
