An exhibition displaying the art of Prue Hutton, as featured in the book “Mountain, inspirations from the wild - art to knits”, a collaboration with Sally Ord.

Artist statement

I am fascinated with patterns such as those in Fibonacci’s nature sequences, the selection of objects in Wunderkammers or Cabinets of Curiosities, early explorers’ maps and illuminated manuscripts where drawing lines, lettering and embellishments are of the essence. Werner’s book Nomenclature of Colours shows not only colour samples in ‘suites’, but words describing them for artists and scientists to link the known to the unfamiliar. The seemingly abstract bundles of lines and dots which transpose sound into repeatable music. Orderly arrangements of board games and museum displays, black and white diagrams of bones revealed in X-rays, maps of mountain contours, dressmakers’ paper patterns showing layers of lines for different sizes and patchwork quilt designs dovetailing geometric shapes. Star studded night skies.

They are all patterns providing keys or codes to interpret and map what the eye sees so that we can organise information in our minds. Woven through these are design elements such as the deliberate placement of positive and negative shapes, selection of line quality, surface texture and colour. When these elements coalesce there is a unique aesthetic appeal like a language communicating and compelling a response. 

Living in Tasmania surrounded by mountains, wilderness and rugged coastlines, I am immersed in the irresistible colours, textures and patterns of the natural environment.

To convey a sense of belonging, I seek to mirror and interpret the complex interaction between surroundings and lived experience. Through a variety of drawing and printmaking processes on collected papers and fabric, I layer and juxtapose in collage enjoying the freedom of considered choice and the pleasure of endless rearranging; sometimes relishing in a plethora of intricacy, at other times paring to serene simplicity.

Most artworks in this exhibition are used to illustrate the book, “Mountain, inspirations from the wild - art to knits”, my collaboration with Sally Ord. As makers, we have explored kunanyi/Mount Wellington, writing about and illustrating our experiences, then interpreting them in original knitting designs to wear and remember.

- Prue Hutton