Crochet sculptures – Who knew of such a thing? Not I. But who could resist taking a few photos of this remarkable table? Not I.
The artist, Trevor Smith was taught crochet by his mother in the 1960s. He studied visual arts at Deakin’s Warrnambool campus in the early 1980s and has worked in various textile mediums before returning to crochet in 2009. I loved these sandwiches.
Smith’s quirky and inventive crochet sculptures stem from his interest in costume, characters, fashion, culture and history. Anyone for roast chook?
Or lobster? Smith is seeking to push the boundaries of crochet from functional items to creative artworks. Successfully I’d say.
Amazingly he doesn’t use patterns but conceives his work as he is making it, creating the story as he crochets. Maybe you’d like some ham and pineapple?
I really liked the cakes – they looked good enough to eat.
I still can’t make as good a sponge as my Aunts, but this one looks good. But nor can I crochet.
I do however make a pretty good pavlova, though maybe not as smooth as this one.
Fruit is better for all of us.
In addition to the feast Smith’s sculptures have been included in the Lindsay sitting room – which is now a simulacrum, or representation, rather than a replica of the original about which there is a long and complicated history to that room in the gallery. Suffice for this blog to include just one picture. See the record player, radio, vases and urns, bowls of fruit, ornaments. I love the birds on the mantelpiece. These sculptures are amazing.
And there was a wall of dolls. These looked more like your traditional crochet work. Still amazing.
So if you visit the Art Gallery of Ballarat – always worth a look – check out the crochet sculptures of Trevor Smith!
Pauline says
This exhibition was fantastic and lots of fun(although I found the wall of dolls a little creepy) Loved looking into the Lindsay sitting room and discovering interlopers hiding in plain sight.
Who would have thought to create such fabulous art from such a crafty medium!