Tapestries in Public Spaces in Canberra

Tapestries in Public Spaces in Canberra

1. The ACT Legislative Assembly, Civic Square, London Circuit.
“Canberra in the Future”, an embroidery – CIT Outreach Programme with Keiko Amenomori – Schmeisser in 1991. Located on the 2nd floor outside the Assembly library.- Valerie Kirk, 2 tapestries and painting installed in corridor, upper level. Available for viewing from 9am until 4.30 weekdays.

2. The A.N.U. University House, 1 Balmain Cres. Acton.
“Jubilee Tapestries” woven by Valerie Kirk – commissioned to celebrate Nobel Prize winners associated with ANU. Located in the Foyer area outside Boffins Restaurant – available for viewing from 7am until 9pm. *boxed sets of Cards for sale at the reception desk.

2. C.S.I.R.O. Discovery Centre, Clunies Ross St., Black Mountain.
“Discovery” tapestry commissioned by the Myer family for the Discovery Centre, designed by Christopher Pyett and woven at the Victorian Tapestry Workshop. Located in the Lecture Theatre where the Canberra Spinners and Weavers are holding their ‘Warped and Twisted’ exhibition, Sat. 4th and Sun. 5th May. 10am – 4pm. Available at other times when the theatre is not is use during Discovery opening hours.

3. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The R.G.Casey Building, John McEwen Cres. Barton. Contact David Poulter ; 62613256 to arrange a large group visit.
Tapestries located in the public foyer and only available weekdays.
Two large tapestries, designed by Ginger Riley and John Olsen, woven by the VTW.

4. National Capitol Authority Offices, Treasury Building, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
‘City And Environs’ tapestry – faithful reproduction of Marion Mahony Griffin’s hand rendering of the plan for Canberra. Woven by Victorian Tapestry Workshop by Merrill Dumbrell, Sue Carstairs and Jan Nelson. Available for viewing in reception area weekdays 8.30am until 5pm.
A second Tapestry, ‘The View from Mount Ainslie’ is hung in the 1st floor reception area. Please call 62712888 and ask for staff to guide you to the first floor. This one was woven by Liz Nettleton’s Studio.

6. National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Pl., Parkes tel; 62406411
-Ming Dynasty Kesi Weave tapestry, located in Gallery 10, Asian Art Space, downstairs near Sculpture Gallery - Available for viewing during gallery hours. Temporary Exhibit.
-Margaret Grafton tapestry, aluminium weft, polyester cord warp, located near the lift and Members’ Office on level 1. Temporary exhibit.
-Two tapestries are located in the small Theatre –
“Pretty As” design by Richard Larter – woven by VTW, weavers – Sara Lindsay, Pam Joyce, Alan Holland, Cresside Collette & Cheryl Thornton, and “Rosella” design by Lesley Dumbrell also woven by VTW, weavers Iain Young and Sonja Hanson.
These tapestries were commissioned by NGA in 1982, to add to the acoustics of the theatre. It is possible to ring and book ahead for a viewing time when the theatre is not in use.

7. National Library of Australia, Parkes Pl. Canberra City
Three tapestries commissioned for this space and designed by Mathieu Mategot woven from Australian wool in Aubusson, France, hang above the front door in the foyer of the Library and are available for viewing any time the building is open. (see http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an7835861 . )
There is another Mategot tapestry of Ayers Rock in the Manuscript reading room. This tapestry is only available to view when the reading room is open: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm only.
Four Alice Kettle embroideries are located in the Main Reading Room on the ground floor of the library. This series is called “Australian Landscapes 1 – 1V” and it takes inspiration from the Australian landscape combined with a response to collections and study within the National Library. Alice Kettle is a leading English Artist see http://www.alicekettle.com/. Also see http://www.nla.gov.au/
These embroideries are available for viewing during Library hours 9am to 9pm Monday to Thursday - 9am – 5pm Friday and Saturday and 1.30 to 5pm Sunday.

8. National Portrait Gallery, Old Parliament House
**Portrait Gallery Closed at this time but the Associate Registrar has agreed to hang the tapestry in The Shaeffer Gallery for a private viewing on 1st May at 12 noon.
Tapestry - portrait of “Dame Elisabeth Murdoch”. Woven by Merrill Dumbrell, Victorian Tapestry Workshop.

9. Parliament House, Rugs and Tapestries
The Great Hall Tapestry, designed by Arthur Boyd, woven by Victorian Tapestry Workshop – second largest tapestry in the world. Located in the Great Hall. Available for viewing on weekends and whenever the Great Hall is not in use.
Located on the First Floor – four “ Odyssey Australia” tapestries, designed and fabricated by Australian School children with learning difficulties.
Parliament House Embroidery – located in the Gallery Level of the Great Hall – Designed by Kay Lawrence, made by the Embroiderers Guild of Australia members, 16 metres long and 65 cm deep.
Also on the first floor a floor rug woven by Liz Nettleton .
Other tapestries and rugs are located at Parliament House but require appointments and security checks before viewing (e.g.Jenny Kee’s “Oz Floramandelia”).

10. The High Court of Australia, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Tapestry of “Shield of Arms of Commonwealth” 4.3m x 2.5m.
Woven by Victorian Tapestry Workshop – tapestry design: Ron Brooks
Located adjacent to the Bar Table in Court Number 1.
Available for viewing only if the court is not sitting, 10am – to 4 pm Monday to Friday.

Other places of Interest….

*ACT Heritage Gallery Reid, Rugs and wall hangings
10am – 1pm daily or by appointment tel; 62473832

Chisholm Street Gallery, Textiles, Rugs, Embroideries, 13 Chisholm St., Ainslie ACT
2-4 MAY – Special Exhibition of NAGALAND textiles and artefacts. Friday 2 May 2-8pm, Weekend 10- 5pm or by appointment. Tel. 62478042
http://www.chisholmstreetgallery.com/

*Rugs – Kilimns Quality rugs and textiles, Fyshwick Market, Thursday to Sunday 8am – 5pm

*Jane Brown’s Oriental Pearls and Rugs
For appointment only viewing of showroom call Sancha on 0409923585

*Impressions on Paper Gallery. 7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACT.

For more Information on Galleries, Exhibitions, Collections and Museums see;
artsaroundcanberra.com.au