A cross-cultural + trans-generational weaving collaboration of La Trobe Art Institute + Multicultural Arts Victoria, Bendigo Emerge Cultural Hub
Presented by the LAI and Multicultural Arts Victoria, Bendigo Emerge Cultural Hub, Interwoven is a cross-cultural & trans-generational weaving collaboration. Part workspace, part exhibition, Interwoven brings people from diverse backgrounds together through the process of weaving. The project celebrates the work of the artist in the context of an overarching thematic framework that draws from research into the creative practices of the weavers included in the project.
Yarrenyty Arltere Art Room
Dulcie Raggart, Rhonda Sharpe, Ilka, Trudy Inkamala and Dulcie Sharpe at work in the Yarrenyty Artere Art Room.
A 6 week placement providing Yarrenyty Arltere Artists with creative direction & advice about ways to develop their soft sculptural jewellery at Larapinta Valley Town Camp in Alice Springs.
The artist’s applied their textile techniques (cyanotype, natural dyeing and embroidery) to new works in our time together.
The resulting soft sculptural jewels were well received at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Desert Mob in 2017.
Yarrenyty Arltere will continue to develop their jewellery in tandem with their prints, cushions and soft sculptures.
A great privilege to work in this shimmeringly beautiful country with such gracious and resilient artists.
Ilka and Rhonda with an early experiment.
NAGULA JARNDUA 6 week project assisting Nagula Jarndu artists develop value-added products from their block printed textiles for the local Courthouse Markets and beyond.
Responding to the artist’s product ideas, producing quality prototypes, introducing new pattern making techniques and assisting people improve their use of the sewing machines.
FOUR SEASONS WALLHANGING
A community arts project by Loving Threads Sewing Circle, who work together in the Factory, Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House.
This luscious wallhanging featuring fruits and vegetables is designed to inspire people to eat fresh food and enjoy good health.
The hanging was launched by Dure Dara at North Richmond Community Health Centre in August and will be displayed in each of Yarra's Health Centres on a rotating basis. The women are sharing their wonderful skills (in crochet, embroidery, painting, and applique) and also their awareness of the importance of healthy eating.
Community Artists:
Fatma Barat, Firdevs Gunes, Khoa Le, Elsa Leong, Thuy My Nguyen, Nga Nguyen, Lien Nguyen, Atike Sevik, Huong Tran
with Saida Suber & Anise Monganale
Project Artist Ilka White
Interpreters: Fernanda Wadhoodmall and Huong Tran
Project Organiser: Marion Crooke
Sponsors: R. E. Ross Trust, City of Yarra, Zonta
Supporters: Inner North Community Foundation, North Richmond Community Health Centre, Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House
Photo: Matthew Lynn
Karen Hethey and I spent four weeks on Moa Island drawing together people’s real life experiences of seeing the damage ghost nets do to sea creatures, turtles, dugongs, coral reef and mangroves and also the danger they present for people crossing between islands.
Materials were collected locally and puppets woven together in community workshops.
The story was told using shadow puppet screen, narration, live music and full choir.
The audience sang and wept their way through the story of a young fisherman’s encounters with ghost nets, performed by around 65 local musicians, singers and puppeteers of all ages.
Produced with the Turramurra Music Camp community, January 2008.
Made from cane, paper, tape and glue these sculptures were collaboratively created over 2 days in response to the camp's Bollywood theme.
They were then backlit with spotlights and theatre gels to serve as a set for the Bollywood finale at the camp's closing concert.
Produced with the Turramurra Music Camp community, January 2012. Made from gathered leaves, flowers and forest debris, the Mandala was collaboratively created over 2 days and then raked and returned to the creek side as mulch at the conclusion of the camp's closing ritual.
A collaborative embroidery produced with the Fitzroy and Collingwood Afghani Women's Group.
Initiated by Marion Crooke, with funding from the Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Collingwood.
Facilitated by Ilka White, with assistance from Mary Zbierski-West.
Shortlisted for Multicultural Arts Victoria's Heartlands Prize for Refugee Artists, 2012.
Participating Group Members: Basira Vrasil Wajia Noori Adelah Formoli Anise Monganale Shafiqa Naime Thuraya Ayub Akhung Farkhanda Amaid Zia Sharifa Fayazi
Boite Banner
screen print, patchwork and applique
2 x 3.2 meters
Commissioned in 1997 for The Boite's World Music Cafe concerts, this iconic banner still serves as a backdrop to multicultural music events in a variety of venues, and has come to represent the Boite's visual identity more broadly.
“What strikes you most as you enter the Boite is Ilka White’s banner... The Boite, in gold freehand script dominates the foreground, but it’s the detail that intrigues people. Hundreds of small patchwork panels, some of shimmering satins, some textured, dare we say, synthetic materials all perfectly stitched. People move in for a closer look. A new level of detail emerges. Every panel has a screen printed image on it- the famous A Cappella singing head, Ghanaian drummers, Balkan dancers... singers, and lots of rare and beautiful musical instruments. We love this banner. Ilka has expressed brilliantly the feel and vitality of the Boite.”
Roger King
Summer/Autumn edition of ‘3RD Magazine’, 1998
