Please follow Instagram @melanie_olde for current work and research.
Artist Statement
My professional weaving experience has been in business, research, teaching and exhibiting nationally and internationally, with my work continually driven by curiosity and new learning. I independently research cellular structures for form, function and array in order to interpret these in biomimetic, complex woven cloth. My ease of thinking of cloth in 3-dimensions combined with my proven high level of knowledge in woven structure, ensures my research leads to innovative exploration and design.
I work on an AVL 24 shaft CompuDobby Loom in my Canberra, Australia studio, and was able to experiment with mechanical and computerised jacquard systems at Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio in Florence, Italy in 1996 and 2012.
Artist Statement
My professional weaving experience has been in business, research, teaching and exhibiting nationally and internationally, with my work continually driven by curiosity and new learning. I independently research cellular structures for form, function and array in order to interpret these in biomimetic, complex woven cloth. My ease of thinking of cloth in 3-dimensions combined with my proven high level of knowledge in woven structure, ensures my research leads to innovative exploration and design.
I work on an AVL 24 shaft CompuDobby Loom in my Canberra, Australia studio, and was able to experiment with mechanical and computerised jacquard systems at Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio in Florence, Italy in 1996 and 2012.
Stomata, 2012
Teaching
My teaching philosophy is based on learning the individual's needs, expectations and directions. I like to be a mentor, enthuser and tweaker. I love helping people find their own learning direction.
My classes and workshops can include beginners techniques to advance structure, design and concept.
I have taught adults and children and thoroughly enjoy teaching all aspects of weaving.
I currently teach weekend workshops interstate as well as private students.
Background
My love of weaving, especially industrial textiles, has been strongly influenced by both of my parents. I grew up in my mother's retail textile business and later her yarn spinning factory, and was introduced to science and engineering principles from my design engineer father. My mother first introduced me to weaving and I embellished that foundation with my own curiosity based learning and a jacquard course in Italy at Fondazione Lisio at age 18. A few years later I studied at Australian National University in the Textile Workshop and later received my BA with 1st class honors. From there I won a residency at Sturt Craft Centre in Mittagong, Australia where I stayed for the next 8 years in the Weaving Workshop. After relocating back to Canberra in 2012, I have been concentrating on developing my research, production and exhibtion work. In 2020 I began my Masters in Contemporary Practices in Art and Design at the Australian National University.
Abbreviated CV
Exhibitions
2021 Cartography of Cloth, (selected), Canberra, ACT (opening June 2021)
2021 Door to Door, Melbourne, VIC
2020 Pushing the Limits, (selected), France, online https://oliviermasson.art/SWE/SWE.html
2020 c/o Craft ACT: 2020 Annual Members exhibition, Craft ACT, Canberra, ACT
2020 Complexity 2020, (Juried) USA, online http://complexityexhibition.org/
2019/20 Miniartextil, (Juried; international travelling exhibition) Art&Art, Como, Italy; Paris, France; Milan, Italy
2019 Visionaries, Craft ACT, Canberra, ACT
2017 Sweetie - Belconnen Arts Centre, Canberra, ACT
2014 Wrap Up, Pod – Craft ACT, Braddon, ACT
2013 New Work, (solo) Pod – Craft ACT, Braddon, ACT
2013 Floating Fibres, Sturt Cafe, Mittagong, NSW
2009 Threads of Influence, Sturt Gallery, Mittagong, NSW
2009 Front Show, Front Gallery, Lynham, ACT
2008 Convergence Small Expressions, (Juried), Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa, Florida, USA
2007 Distort, (solo), Sturt Gallery, Mittagong, NSW
2004 Display/Showing, Sturt Gallery Shop, Mittagong, NSW
2004 Showcase display at Craft ACT, Canberra, ACT
2003 Moving On, Cuppacumbalong Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2002 Freshly Squeezed, Canberra School of Art Gallery, Canberra, ACT
2002 Showcase display at Craft ACT, Canberra, ACT
2001 From the River, Wollongong, NSW
2001 Repeat Pattern, Artspace 71, Canberra, ACT
Residency
2004 – 2012 Weaver in Residence / Tutor for Adult and Children's Classes, Weaving Workshop, Sturt Craft Centre, Mittagong.
2012 Residency, Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio, Italy.
Publications
Olde, Melanie, The Maker's Marks: How to Learn from Japanese Weavers at the National Library, National Library of Australia, 2019 https://www.nla.gov.au/stories/blog/behind-the-scenes/2019/03/21/the-maker-s-marks
Holyoke, Julie. Digital Jacquard Design, London, UK, Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2013. pp title page, dedication page, 107, 126, 128 (listed as contributor)
Holyoke, Julie. “From Leaf Stomata to Digitally Woven Cloth”, Jacquard, Issue 72, 2014. pp 53-56
Awards
2020 1st place, Complexity2020, USA online http://complexityexhibition.org/
2020 Complex Weavers Award
2004 Australia Council Skills and Development Grant
2002 The EASS NECG Acquisitive Award
2002 The EASS Canberra Spinners and Weavers Award
Education
2020 - ongoing, Masters of Contemporary Practices in Art and Design, Australian National University
1999 – 2002 Bachelor of Arts (Visual) Textiles Major, 1st class honours, CSA, NITA, Australian National University
1996 Certificate in Jacquard Weaving, Foundazione Arte Della Seta Lisio, Florence, Italy
1995-6 Certificate of Design Fundamentals, TAFE