Nirala Hunt

Nirala Hunt fuses memories with fabrics as she challenges herself to turn what she has on hand in to masterpieces!

Once upon a time, a quilt was a collection of fabrics infused with memories, and a jumper was remade from one that had been unravelled.

Lovingly created one off items are more likely to be retained season after season and help to offset the impact of cheap throw away imports. I find the collecting of second hand yarns and fabrics almost as exciting as the process of creation.

In 2019, I completed a course with renowned English textile artist, Sue Stone and set up a studio at Dilkes-Hoffman Ceramics with space to weave chairs and create a large rug. I taught a new class in locker hooking at Stirling Street Arts Centre. 2020: As with most people, a lot of my planned workshops and events were cancelled. I continued with my hand sewing, pledging to create a daily piece, journaling as I went what turned out to be a most extraordinary year and resulting in the Mindful Stitching workshops. With 365 pieces still to mount, I completed my first large teabag string project- a shawl made from over 11,000 tea bags strings and use teabags for my entries in the AMR “Apron Project.” February I co-led Mindful Stitching at the Hive with Deb Chambers and an entered an antique wicker chair woven with fabric into the AMR “Take a Seat” exhibition. In March 2021 I finished my largest attempted locker hooking project, a 1.8 x 1.5 metre rug. Mid March I moved my studio home and began planning for the “Future Worlds” exhibition to be held during the MR Writers Festival.

My challenge this year is to not purchase any fabric, and restrict myself to what I have on hand. Each work is a new exploration of colour, texture and technique, each dictating its own story reflecting my inner world. Hand sewing and weaving bring me great pleasure, the soothing rhythms creating an oasis of calm in a hectic world.