The Cupboard Collection 2024 - solo show of fibre works by viv davy

This is the time of year that viv davy has her works in the main gallery area of ‘from out of the blue studio gallery’. This year we are very proudly a part of The Sustainable Backyards Trail so the gallery will be open for extended hours through the festival season. The works are available on a cash and carry basis and the gallery also does courier and offshore shipping of art works for those people who are travelling around the region.

Every year since opening the studio gallery viv has been gradually refining the focus of her practice to reflect her physical surroundings more and more intimately and connectedly. The connection reaches across both materials used in works and the inspiration for the works from the magical surrounds of Ōpunakē.

A primary practice of handweaving underpins the works that will be installed in the gallery. There will be some wall works especially demonstrating tapestry techniques, and some free standing works that are for household use or are wearable. We are attempting to open our weaving practices for more people to learn about them and there will be a space available for the public to engage with the act of weaving. Some of the weavings in the studio gallery will be created using natural plant materials from the organic garden that houses the gallery. These will include decorative, sculptural works. These are a new offering for The Cupboard Collection 2024.

Alongside the handweaving there will be natural materials that have been produced by botanical dying and printing. Some of these materials are available as stitch kits including a range of materials and threads, some are available as finished works. There will also be handmade papers, that have been created using the plants from our own garden.

During The Sustainable Backyards Trail (1st November – 10th November 2024), the gallery will be offering a range of pop-up and pre-registration workshops for people to engage with. These will include making cordage, leaf printing, and creating plant supports with willow. Keep an eye on our SM feeds for updates or subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest offerings directly in your inbox so you don’t miss out. All our teaching is done in small groups so we can really share our knowledge and support the students’ learning.