Lindy de Wijn

The Lace Project is one of four projects of the Nillumbik Living in the Landscape Public Art Incubator which commenced in August 2017.  The project used the art of lace making to connect community and space. The bush surrounding Hurstbridge Community Hub was explored  with kids and adults from the community and from this, a series of temporary lace installations were designed to adorn the Hub. Parts of the lace were made in the space and with community.

Large Scale Lace inspired by Hurstbridge Children’s Centre

The first large scale piece is a reflection of time spent exploring the bush surrounding the Hub with the children of Hurstbridge Children’s Centre.  On our walk we saw ducks, felt and collected leaves and flowers and noticed the textures, shapes and smells.   These images are reflected in the piece.

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The darker rope elements are enlargements of drawings the children made when reflecting on the walk.  This rope was coloured using eco-dye techniques using leaf fall from eucalyptus surrounding the Hub.  1.5kg of leaf fall was used to dye this section of the work.

Large Scale Lace inspired by Friends of Diamond Creek – Hurstbridge

The second large scale piece is a reflection of time spent walking the bush with Friends of Diamond Creek – Hurstbridge and learning of the weed removal and planting programs that have helped  return the bush to its native state.

Small Scale Lace inspired by Friends of Diamond Creek – Hurstbridge

The smaller round piece displayed inside the Hub is a more detailed reflection of this shared walk.  It shows a vista of Diamond Creek and highlights some of the native species such as Poa labillardieri, Poa poiformis, bulbine bulbosa and Maidenhair fern as well as the tall eucalyptus in the distance.

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Acacia and gum installation

The acacia and gum installation on the internal divide of the hub was created in two parts.  The first  by community members in a workshop held with the assistance of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Lace Guild and the second through casual drop-in/come and try days.  Participants included Araluen, Staff of Nillumbik Shire, Boomerang Bag contributors and Men’s Shed.

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The project  enabled a broadening of my community arts practice, allowed me to explore large scale lace making  with rope and further my skills in site specific lace design.   The youngest participant of the project was 2 years old and the oldest in her 80s.  The magic of this project has been  the contributions from community in shaping and making and the conversations held with contributors and observers alike.

This project will be installed throughout December and January and  was made possible by Nillumbik Shire and the support of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Lace Guild.

Video courtesy of Nillumbik Arts and Culture Department