Caroline Hawkins is a Sculptural fibre artist, basket weaver and teacher.
Caroline’s journey began with a design degree in London, which provided her with a valuable foundation in working in three dimensions. Since relocating to Australia, Caroline’s art practice developed around working life, which included supporting newly arrived migrants in maintaining their cultural crafts, studying for a Diploma in Sustainability and learning to weave with natural fibres. The work and the study have had a distinct influence on her choices for her art practice; the recurring themes of nature, weaving methods and the materials she uses.
Living on the Surfcoast in Victoria, Caroline enjoys walking in nature, noticing the changing seasons, which birds are around, and which plants are ready to harvest for weaving. Sourcing, gathering, drying and experimenting with many of the plants she comes across, is an integral part of her practice. Over the years, Caroline has honed her weaving skills and, as her knowledge of different techniques has grown, she has developed a distinctive fibre art style, adopting the term ‘Sculptural fibre Artist’ to best describe her artwork.
Whilst weaving sculptural baskets with plant fibres is central to Caroline’s practice, she has taken the fundamental principles of weaving and a keen awareness of the natural environment to explore related avenues for artistic expression. These include creating sculptural birds and animals with reclaimed fabrics, ephemeral art and event installations.
Acknowledging that basketweaving is an ancient practice passed down through generations, Caroline is now sharing the knowledge she has acquired with those keen to learn. Her weaving workshops provide a supportive environment for participants to connect hands on with an intuitive and authentic skill that makes us the unique humans that we are. She believes that hands on engagement with natural fibres contributes to our wellbeing through a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of all things.
Caroline is represented by the Eagles Nest Gallery, Aireys Inlet
Caroline’s journey began with a design degree in London, which provided her with a valuable foundation in working in three dimensions. Since relocating to Australia, Caroline’s art practice developed around working life, which included supporting newly arrived migrants in maintaining their cultural crafts, studying for a Diploma in Sustainability and learning to weave with natural fibres. The work and the study have had a distinct influence on her choices for her art practice; the recurring themes of nature, weaving methods and the materials she uses.
Living on the Surfcoast in Victoria, Caroline enjoys walking in nature, noticing the changing seasons, which birds are around, and which plants are ready to harvest for weaving. Sourcing, gathering, drying and experimenting with many of the plants she comes across, is an integral part of her practice. Over the years, Caroline has honed her weaving skills and, as her knowledge of different techniques has grown, she has developed a distinctive fibre art style, adopting the term ‘Sculptural fibre Artist’ to best describe her artwork.
Whilst weaving sculptural baskets with plant fibres is central to Caroline’s practice, she has taken the fundamental principles of weaving and a keen awareness of the natural environment to explore related avenues for artistic expression. These include creating sculptural birds and animals with reclaimed fabrics, ephemeral art and event installations.
Acknowledging that basketweaving is an ancient practice passed down through generations, Caroline is now sharing the knowledge she has acquired with those keen to learn. Her weaving workshops provide a supportive environment for participants to connect hands on with an intuitive and authentic skill that makes us the unique humans that we are. She believes that hands on engagement with natural fibres contributes to our wellbeing through a deeper understanding of the cyclical nature of all things.
Caroline is represented by the Eagles Nest Gallery, Aireys Inlet
"The more I learn about the techniques of weaving, the more I feel connected to the depth of knowledge and an ancient culture in a hands-on way.”
BACKGROUND
Originally trained at Ravensbourne Art College, London in 3D design, Caroline has been working in arts and crafts for the past four decades creating artwork, holding workshops and working as a community artist. She has a wealth of experience in working with new migrants to Australia, sometimes without English, in maintaining their traditional cultural craft practices.
A Diploma in Sustainability further informed the integration of sustainability practices within her art, not only in materials and methods chosen, but in developing themes such as awareness raising of endangered species. Development opportunities have included learning from indigenous basket weavers and several overseas weaving experiences to learn basketry techniques from other cultures.
Originally trained at Ravensbourne Art College, London in 3D design, Caroline has been working in arts and crafts for the past four decades creating artwork, holding workshops and working as a community artist. She has a wealth of experience in working with new migrants to Australia, sometimes without English, in maintaining their traditional cultural craft practices.
A Diploma in Sustainability further informed the integration of sustainability practices within her art, not only in materials and methods chosen, but in developing themes such as awareness raising of endangered species. Development opportunities have included learning from indigenous basket weavers and several overseas weaving experiences to learn basketry techniques from other cultures.
Australian Indigenous Weaving
|
Weaving Experiences
|
Awards and media
|
Acknowledgements:
Joy Beeby for introducing me to basket weaving and for her tuition and encouragment along the way.
Basket Makers Victoria for their invaluable knowledge of plant materials as basketry fibres.
Bryant Holsenbeck, Fibre and wire artist from California
Bronwyn Razem, a Gunditjamara master weaver, for teaching me how to make bush toys and indigenous basket weaving.
Affiliations:
Member of Basket Weavers of Victoria
Joy Beeby for introducing me to basket weaving and for her tuition and encouragment along the way.
Basket Makers Victoria for their invaluable knowledge of plant materials as basketry fibres.
Bryant Holsenbeck, Fibre and wire artist from California
Bronwyn Razem, a Gunditjamara master weaver, for teaching me how to make bush toys and indigenous basket weaving.
Affiliations:
Member of Basket Weavers of Victoria
