Donna Blackall
Donna Blackall x Craft — Purse
A collaborative project between Craft Victoria and artists Donna Blackall and Esther Sandler, this collection features a digital print of weaving using New Zealand Flax by Blackall for the project.
The shape of the purses draw from the shape of the base of a basket as you begin to weave.
Donna is a Yorta Yorta artist, currently living in Ballarat on Wathaurong country. She is what is referred to as a journey woman, which means she is in the process of learning weaving techniques and stories, and has been weaving for eight years.
Originally taught to weave as a young girl, Donna rekindled her love of weaving when she participated in a workshop with master weaver Bronwyn Razem (Gunditijmara). Donna uses a blanket stitch as it is a strong, sturdy stitch that creates baskets that are both practical and beautiful. She uses NZ Flax in her baskets, which she collects from her local area. Although NZ Flax is not indigenous to Australia, it is strong and wide, making in perfect for Donna’s style of weaving.
“As a proud Aboriginal woman, I believe the more we learn about our Indigenous ancestors in Australia, the more we can help people understand the country that we live on and the importance of maintaining a sustainable way of life for all Australians, and future generations to come” — Donna Blackall
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Esther Sandler, Togetherness Design
Esther Sandler is a Melbourne based textile designer who combines commercial work with her own label Togetherness Design. Established in 2011 while she was still a design student, Togetherness Design focuses on unique textile designs and illustrations transformed into various products for the home and body. Common themes of nature and craft infuse her work, which brings together bold colour and inky motif in a handmade form ranging from soft furnishings to bags and paper goods.
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Materials: digitally printed cotton/linen canvas, lined with a black cotton poplin. Print is a reproduction of Donna Blackall's New Zealand flax woven basket.
Dimensions: 23 x 17cm