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Minna Loft, Tapestry Trimmings Necklace, 2.5x34cm. Photo: Jasper Fearnley.

Found Fragments,
​Tinkered Treasure

Afsaneh Ahmadian (IR)
Ahila Ravinthira (LK)
Kareen Adam (MV)

Mary Lambert (LK)
Minna Loft
Sophie Moorhouse Morris ​

7– 14 September 

Sat 10am-2pm
Tue 9am-5pm 

(OPENING)

Sat 7 September, 10am-12pm

at 

Second Stitch Studio 

1/377 Sydney Rd 
Coburg 3058 

​Minna Loft, workshop process details, 2018, paper, string, glass beads. Photo:Minna Loft

Found Fragments, Tinkered Treasure is a multi layered project engaging a group of women to connect creatively and collectively through a series of workshops. During these workshops the women explored material qualities with an art therapist, learnt some basic jewellery making techniques and had an introduction into the world of contemporary jewellery through books and a visit to Gallery Funaki. This body of work presented as part of the Radiant Pavilion program is the result of these workshops, where the act of making has offered an opportunity for intercultural connection, collaboration, skill sharing and leadership. The women gladly invite you to view their creations and to learn from them by offering two workshops; welcoming you to make your own jewels from found and repurposed materials.

@tinkeredtreasure   @secondstitchmelbourne   @krunchykaree   @afsan_jon   @sophiemoorhousemorris   @minnaloft

Minna Loft, Materials, 2018, seeds, plastic, metal, varied. Photo: Minna Loft.

(ABOUT THE ARTISTS)
​
Afsaneh Ahmadian grew up in Iran where she painted as a hobby but felt she could not pursue her creativity professionally. She studied Quality Control at University and was a manager of a jewellery store but it was not until Afsaneh arrived in Australia that she started to pursue her creative interests more seriously. Becoming a member of Melbourne Artist for Asylum Seekers led her to create covers for the first print of Garland magazine. She started making jewellery in 2014 with Sophie Kyron at Space2B and has exhibited with SisterWorks as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Ahila Ravinthira studied a Diploma of Sewing in Sri Lanka where she learnt skills such as industrial sewing, pattern making, traditional beaded embroidery and crochet. Since arriving in Australia she has continued to extend her creative knowledge by recently undertaking a class in macramé, which is also a common technique found in Sri Lanka. Ahila is studying a Certificate III in Clothing and Textile Production at Second Stitch Studio where she also works as a seamstress, welcoming and assisting others from culturally diverse backgrounds to learn and improve their own sewing skills. 

Kareen Adam is a visual artist exploring themes of transitions, cultural identity and the juncture between 'local' and the 'visitor', which she attributes to her experience of living between cultures, specifically the East and the West. While her art practice is primarily drawing and printmaking she often incorporates painting, mixed media or video art. Kareen is the creator of “Kudaingili” - a range of hand-made, hand-printed products. She has exhibited in Maldives, Australia, Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region, having curated in Brisbane and Maldives and Co-Directed a community-based art festival focused on environmental conservation in Maldives in 2014. 

Mary Lambert initially worked as a garment manufacturer making L.T.T military uniforms in Sri Lanka during the civil war. She is a dedicated maker currently undertaking a Certificate III in Clothing and Textile Production at Second Stitch Studio, while broadening her repertoire by partaking in a project at Australian Communities Foundation learning tapestry with Joy Smith. She is a keen and committed member of Brunswick Women’s Sewing Group, sells her sewn goods at SisterWorks where she also learnt lino-cutting and exhibited as part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2015, showcasing her cross stitch embroidery.

Minna Loft completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts –Jewellery at Monash University in 2013. It was during an exchange to study textiles at National Institute of Design in India that she began to explore the potential for collaboration. She has partnered with various social enterprises including The Social Studio and Sisterworks, having facilitated design labs, workshops and curating exhibitions. Minna is currently studying a Certificate III in Clothing and Textile Production at RMIT. For Minna the creative process is a platform for communication to find a commonality between makers, while exploring material qualities and themes of identity and belonging. 

Sophie Moorhouse Morris uses a range of media including ceramics, textiles and drawing. Her work is a deliberate reclamation of beauty, small pieces distilled from a long standing intuitive engagement with materials, time and process. For Sophie, making has become a personal act of protest against the daily thrust of neo-liberal life. Sharing her making with others is consistent with her belief in collective action to achieve positive social change. Sophie's art making is a choice to hold out for hope.