Fibrespace Incorporated is a nineteen-year-old group of South Australian textile artists, with more than 90% of its members, ranging in age from 35 to 92, living regionally in South Australia. Group meetings require long-distance travel from the southern Eyre Peninsula, the Far West Coast, the Mid North, and other remote areas. During its nineteen years of existence, the group has managed to meet three times a year. Face-to-face meetings are still the preferred communication method, with email conversations used only to fill communication gaps and distribute written information.

During the three annual meetings, themes for group work are decided, with a minimum of two textile artworks produced by each member annually. These works are then accumulated, curated, and displayed as group exhibitions in local galleries, libraries, and other community spaces. The fibre artists’ work is based on experimental practices, which they are encouraged to document using diaries, notes, and photographs. With great anticipation, the group reveal their textile art in a joint session that includes verbal presentations, self-reflections, and group criticism.

In 2015, Fibrespace members were encouraged to adopt a global perspective and reach out to connect with marginalised artists from Lapland. The group’s enthusiasm resulted in some members producing personal works, in which they reveal narratives of their lives, the realities they face, and the places and settings they live in. With this focus, the group of artists hopes to entice artists from Lapland to forge new global connections, aiming to share experiences of the various facets of marginalisation.

Most Fibrespace artists shared personal anecdotes about their relationship with the South Australian environment, particularly the Flinders Ranges and Spencer Gulf. Additional themes include iconic Australian fauna and flora, as well as living spaces and places such as homes and towns. The artists introduced themselves and told their stories through a collection of art entitled ‘Conversations with Lapland’.  The works were made from fibres, threads and textiles and limited in size to fit into A4 envelopes to be posted to the Arctic.

During December 2016, Fibrespace members’ works will be presented to artists from all over the world at the ‘Narrating the Marginal’ research seminar and art workshop, providing them the opportunity to connect with Fibrespace artists through creative sharing of personal stories. The workshop outcomes will be exhibited at Arktikum in Rovaniemi during the Winter of 2016/2017 and at the Platform Gallery in Port Augusta in 2017.

By Melanie Sarantou