Bev Thomas

My art to me is very personal, and whilst I may never become famous, I feel I am at the most enjoyable part of my life. My work is about what I see, and not what I feel the viewer wantsto see, this then allows the viewer to form their own opinion. Most days I would either be weaving on a tapestry frame, or painting something that is important to me.

As I reach 3 score plus 10 this year of 2011, I reflect and think there was never a part of my life where textiles were never around me. I began knitting and making dolls cloths long before I started school, where in those days, sewing was always part of the school curriculum, plus after the second World war, we learnt to make do.

I took a major part in the Parliament House embroidery, and it was at that time, I became interested in tapestry weaving. From there I entered the National University, to study visual arts in the textile workshop.

I owned and operated an interior decorating business, after which, I have devoted my time and energy to my arts. I also give time and skills to the Calvary hospital, where we intend to start a program shortly, offering art related projects to long term patients.

‘Entangled’2010
Medium: Hand knitted lurex thread, over mallee leaf hand dyed paper
Size: H: 53cm x W: 78cm

 Photographer Leise Knowles

Artist statement about the work:

I am thinking about the use of nets, with a positive and negative spaces (the holes becoming the key elements), for keeping in and keeping out. Strong netting as a fence is used to quarantine animals from straying, or isolating.

As a former farmer, the beauty of the majestic merino sheep grazing, was always a source of pride, despite the howling winds turning the day into twilight, from the flying red dust. A place, where the landscape has a language of its own.

Photographer Leise Knowles

Background to the work:
As a former sheep farmer, in the south west of New South Wales, I can relate to the colour of the paper, deriving from the continuous dust storms covering the landscape, which also coloured the wool on the sheep's back.

Work in progress – Photographs Bev Thomas