N.Z. theme in renewed interest in country crafts

Press, 10 November 1981, Page 33

N.Z. theme in renewed interest in country crafts

(Continued from Page 32). to be established' in Christchurch. Pottery, batik and hand printed scarves, hand-spun and hand-knitted jerseys, hand-woven garments, spinning wheels, looms and all accessories are tastefully displayed at their shop. Spinning and weaving have become popular crafts in the last 10 years and Several Arts caters for those people interested in the craft. They

stock nine makes of wheels encompassing 23 models and three makes of looms. In the “Woolshed,” you will find fleeces aplenty, .both white and coloured. Carded wool, greasy and scoured, is stocked for those who find time a little short to prepare their own sliver for spinning. Warping cottons and wools, shuttles and reeds are stocked for the weavers. Books to help the beginning spinner or weaver or the more advanced crafts-person

are on their shelves. Shirley and Graham Inwood, who own the shop, have been involved with spinning and weaving for 10 years. Graham makes table weaving looms and he is also able to repair most makes of spinning wheels. With their experience, they are able to advise on the type of wheel or loom for the beginner or experienced, supply the wool and teach them to spin. Also represented in the exhibition will be The Crafts Council of New Zealand, which is the only national body of craftspeople. One of the advantages of being a national body is that they act as the voice of all crafts-people. They are truly representative in that area and are able to work closely with organisations and individual crafts-people. They have a resource centre in Wellington, which also includes a selling gallery. The council has worked to free crafts-people of sales tax imposed by the Government in 1979 and has the interests, of craftspeople at heart. Most crafts are practised in New Zealand but the movement towards the less usual in crafts, such as jewellery and glass is growing, with many people choosing to earn their living solely from their craft or as a parttime, income; •

Young people are choosing to become crafts-people and are being encouraged to find ways and means to follow this important creativity in the community. The South Island is being locally represented by elected representatives in Christchurch, where a small committee organises activities which local members might find of interest, such as slide evenings, lectures from visiting craftspeople and workshops.

The Council’s national president and person to contact in Christchurch for further information 'is Carin Wilson, 9 Bay view Road, Christchurch 8. His telephone number is 849-913.

Grouped in with the Grafts ■Council display are leather-' work and woodcraft displays. David Wyse came to New Zealand from England eight years ago. He and his family have lived in Christchurch for most of that time but, during a two-year sojourn in the wilds of Cheviot,, he became interested in leatherwork.

Entirely without formal training, Dave has developed

a style which is intrinsically his own, making anything from key rings and bags to the unique art form of leather pictures. The high standard of his work can be seen in many parts of the South Island and some has recently been sent overseas. Dave recently bought transport which he hopes to convert to a mobile display unit to be seen around A. and P. Shows. ' Native timbers provide the raw materials for Bernan Woodcrafts, of Oaro. The display will feature some of the vases, lamps, candlesticks and other handcrafted furniture produced by this competent craftsman. This court also featured a patchwork exhibit. Garden City Patchworkers and Quilting Guild was formed in April, 1981, following a series of workshop sessions tutored by Catherine King in the Craft Workshop at the Arts Centre. They will be showing in their display that patchwork quilting is only limited by a person’s own imagination. Macrame is a centuriesold craft which has been revived from time to time. Mrs D. P. Keey will feature on her stand a map of the world on which can be traced the spread of the craft of macrame. Also in this court is the Hanmer Springs crafts group whose display features a collection of crafts from Hanmer Springs, and includes basket-ware, tiles, photography, coloured glasswork, pottery, macrame, wool rugs, crochet, tatting, dolls, spinning, weaving, enamelling, tapestry, embroidery and paintings. Moving into the Artist Court, we find a comprehensive display by the Town and Country Art Club.’ This club was founded by the late Frank Gross, who taught art in many parts of Canterbury to enable his pupils form groups, working in both town and country to meet together for their mutual benefit. Paintings on exhibition will be in a variety of mediums, such as oil, acrylic and water colour and will compose landscapes, still life and portraits. This club recently held its 19th annual exhibition. Also in the Artists Court is a display by the Photo Arts Group. This is a group of enthusiastic amateur and professional photographers which was formed in May of 1980. With the generous support of their patron, Brian Brake, and the enthusiasm of the members, the group is becoming larger and more exciting each month with stimulating meetings, newsletters, safaris, exhibitions and workshops. A members’ darkroom is available, as are photographic discounts. The aim of the group is to develop and encourage a wider awareness and appreciation of the art of contemporary and traditional photography by. sharing and exchanging photographic interests and skills. Membership is open to any one regardless of age or photographic experience — enthusiasm is sufficient. A fully equipped darkroom will be set up at the show to demonstrate the development and printing of black and white films that have been taken by members of the group at the show. Film, chemicals and paper will be supplied by Paul’s Camera Shop, and darkroom equipment from Logan Photographies. There will also be a display on how to improve your photography, an exhibition of members’ prints, a display of those photographs taken and processed at the show, and someone available to discuss photographic problems. Unique to Canterbury is Barkers Wines, 'Ltd, from Geraldine. Its display will offer continuous tasting of pure berry fruit wines. A variety of South Canter-bury-grown, cold-climate berry fruits are utilised by this unique winery to produce a range of specialty table wines, cask-matured aperitifs and wine liqueurs. Established in 1969 by Anthony M. Barker, the winery has steadily expanded its range to include 13 Wines made from elderberries, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries and loganberries. r

Traditional wine? making techniques are combined with modern wine-making technology and, recently, expanded winery facilities to produce a range of pure berry fruit wines, that are . available from selected

stockists throughout New Zealand. The clubs offer instruction and information on all aspects of wine and beer making. The Pegasus Wine Makers Society organises each year a Wine Queen Festival and other events. Pottery, a craft followed by thousands of people in New Zealand, plays a big role as one of the many crafts showing their exhibits this year in the B.N.Z. Country Crafts Exhibition. The Canterbury Potters Association, in conjunction with the Mount Pleasant, Halswell, Rangiora, Bishopdale and Leeston pottery groups, has organised an exhibition of pottery, each showing work from members of their own association. There will be demonstrations of wheel throwing and the hand building of pots, throughout each day. The demonstrations will be given by members of the different groups participating. The aim will be to show the public the many different aspects and ways of making pottery. This display is a selected exhibition and will show a variety of work made by potters from Canterbury.