Words: Ingrid Keneally
Keen to continue a long-held association with all things hand-made and beautiful, the KPC Yarn site will now start featuring a short question-and-answer interview with artists who dedicate their working life to the wonderful world of textiles. We hope you find these interviews both inspiring and enjoyable.
Australian architect, interior designer and textile artist Natalie Miller is the first artist to take part, and here she explains how her passion for creativity in painting, drawing, and generally making all kinds of exquisite weaving and macramé works came together. Natalie travels the globe teaching weaving and macramé and she is coming to Hong Kong in May to teach weaving workshops with KPC Yarn.
- Describe how you work with wool:
I love to weave with wool and create contemporary tapestries using different colour-ways and designs to create colourful and textural artworks. My hand-woven tapestries explore the essence of colour and texture of wools.
- The pivotal moment in your early career:
I am an architect and felt my career was overpowered by technology. I was losing the sense of creating objects with my hands in the real world. I needed to make things again and regain a sense of touch. If I am not making things I don’t feel fulfilled.
- Did anything in your childhood influence what you do now?
My mother and grandmother where always knitting, crocheting and crafting. I was surrounded by wool at an early age.
- The professional achievement you are most proud of:
I am proud of the fact I can teach people my skill all round the world. I do travel a fair bit and love meeting so many new people that are so interested in hand-making and crafting.
5. One thing you wish you’d known when you were starting out in wool:
When I started using wool I didn’t realise you could be so experimental. It’s such a beautiful fibre, so soft and easy to work with. So many different ways in using wool especially in weaving – coiling, RYA knots, wrapping, twinning, interlocking, it’s endless.
- Why do you think wool/hand-made textiles are so fashionable right now?
I believe that we are having a renaissance of the craft movement as people want to use their hands again. In this world overcome by technology, we were losing the skill. It’s just so wonderful people want to make again.
- If you could see another direction wool could go in, what would that be?
I just hope that most people in the world start to appreciate hand-made things again and using wool as their fibre. Whether it be knitting a scarf, or crocheting a teapot warmer or weaving wall hangings.
- One notable person in the world of wool/textiles you’d like to mention:
Absolutely Sheila Hicks, what an incredible career she has had as a textile artist exploring the different ways to use and work with wool.
- Best beginner’s task?
A beginner can certainly learn the skill in how to weave in a day. Once they know the basics, it’s all about practice, and the opportunities to create beautiful pieces and experiment with wools are endless.
- The KPC Yarnhue that speaks volume to you, and why:
The chunky yarn is my absolute favourite. The different plies are wonderful so you can create different textures and the hues of the KPC Yarn are truly wonderful. The contemporary colours and tones are perfect for my weaving.
Photo cred: Natalie Miller, The Design Files and Bec Taylor
Did you like our feature artist interview? Stay tuned for more similar Talking Textiles posts in the future.