From across the globe from China to Denmark, Finland to France, Turkey to New Zealand there have been 146 entries from 20 countries for the Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries and the Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award for Small Tapestries.
Held every two years by the Australian Tapestry Workshop (ATW) these unique awards celebrate creativity and excellence in contemporary tapestry, and are the most prestigious small tapestry awards in Australasia.
Kate Derum Award and the Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award for Small Tapestries opens at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, Tuesday 16 July at 6pm, where the winners will be announced. The exhibition runs until Friday 13 September 2019.
All entries are hand-woven tapestry, defined as ‘a weft-faced fabric with discontinuous wefts’ and none exceed 30cm(h) x 30cm(w) x 2cm(d).
The Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries was established to honour Kate’s memory and celebrate her significant contribution to tapestry as an artist, weaver, teacher, mentor and former Deputy Director/Studio Manager of the ATW.
The first iteration of the award in 2010 reflected Kate’s work as a teacher, and was open to students who had recently graduated from a tapestry degree. In 2011 the award became known as theKate Derum Award for Small Tapestries, open to all Australian and international tapestry artists. The $5,0000 non-acquisitive award is generously supported by Susan Morgan.
2013 saw the introduction of the Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award for Small Tapestries, specifically focused on encouraging and showcasing early-career artists in the first five years of their tapestry practice. The $1,000 non-acquisitive Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award for Small Tapestries is generously supported by Alayne and Alan Davies in memory of their mother Irene Davies, a tapestry enthusiast and avid supporter of the ATW.
The Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries is generously supported by Susan Morgan in memory of Kate Derum. The Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award for Small Tapestries is generously supported by Alayne and Alan Davies in memory of their mother.
Antonia Syme, Director ATW is available for interview.
Kate Derum Award for Small Tapestries and the Irene Davies Emerging Artist Award for Small Tapestries opens at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, Tuesday 16 July at 6pm and runs until Friday 13 September 2019.
Australian Tapestry Workshop, 262–266 Park St, South Melbourne. Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 5pm. www.austapestry.com.au / 9699 7885.
