COLLECTION NAME:
University Art Galleries (UMassD)
mediaCollectionId
UMASSDVRCVRC~43~43
University Art Galleries (UMassD)
Collection
true
exhibition_title:
Clay, Fiber, Metal
exhibition_title
Clay, Fiber, Metal
exhibition_title
false
exhibition_dates:
November 4 - November 21 1979
exhibition_dates
November 4 - November 21 1979
exhibition_dates
false
exhibition_year:
1979
exhibition_year
1979
exhibition_year
false
exhibition_genre:
artisanry ( craft )
exhibition_genre
artisanry ( craft )
exhibition_genre
false
resourceID:
14002_013_0040
resource_id
14002_013_0040
resourceID
false
resourceID:
14002_013_0041
resource_id
14002_013_0041
resourceID
false
resource_type:
slides
resource_type
slides
resource_type
false
copyright notice:
COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION: Under the direction of the Visual Resource Center digital collections are made available to the UMass Dartmouth campus community for the sole purpose of classroom instruction and study in accordance U.S. Copyright Laws . All other uses are prohibited and are subject to copyright infringements.
copyright_notice
COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION: Under the direction of the Visual Resource Center digital collections are made available to the UMass Dartmouth campus community for the sole purpose of classroom instruction and study in accordance U.S. Copyright Laws . All other uses are prohibited and are subject to copyright infringements.
copyright notice
false
credit line:
Claire T. Carney Library - Archives and Special Collections
credit_line
Claire T. Carney Library - Archives and Special Collections
credit line
false
artist name:
Fuchs, Douglas
artist_name
Fuchs, Douglas
artist name
false
artist_nationality:
American
artist_nationality
American
artist_nationality
false
artist_vital dates:
1947 - 1986
artist_vital_dates
1947 - 1986
artist_vital dates
false
artist_biographical note:
The story begins in 1981, when Craft Australia had the foresight to bring out the US fibre artist Douglas Fuchs. At the time, the development of contemporary craft benefited immeasurably from these foreign visitors, bringing together the nascent communities of fibre, textile, metal, clay and glass artists. Fuchs was a fibre artist particularly inspired by traditional basketry, such as native American traditions. He travelled widely through Australia, giving workshops and spending time in Maningrida learning the ways of traditional Yolngu fibre crafts. The tour eventuated in the exhibition titled Floating Forest, which launched at Adelaide, Festival Centre in 1981, then toured Sydney and Melbourne in 1982. The visit was quite critical for Australian craft. Fuch's statement in the exhibition reflects the mystery that he seeks in fibre art: Psychologically the forest symbol represents the unknown in each person's being a beckoning desire to get lost, or discovering aspects of life that may be more challenging and difficult than already comprehended… My concept of a 'Floating Forest' environment was an attempt to construct and symbolise this state of feeling, this symbol that has become central in my imagination. Many other people have done it in different ways. I happen to be a person who makes objects in basketry techniques and materials. Ararat Regional Art Gallery presents Douglas Fuchs' monumental fibre installation, 'Floating Forest' from 17 February to 1 April 2012, in partnership with the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Douglas Fuchs (1947-86) was an American basket maker who came to Australia on a Craft Council of Australia Fellowship in 1981-82. He arrived in June 1981 and visited Aboriginal weavers in Arnhem Land, which expanded his vision for a sculptural approach to basketry and encouraged his use of Australian plant materials. He arrived in Adelaide in July 1981 and set up a studio at The Jam Factory, where he began work on his ambitious 'Floating Forest' installation with the assistance of local artists. Douglas exhibited three versions of 'Floating Forest: at the Adelaide Festival Centre Gallery from 27 November to 24 December 1981, the Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne from 26 January to 28 February 1982 and the Crafts Councils Centre Gallery, Sydney from 1 to 23 May 1982. 'Floating Forest' is widely considered a landmark in the development of a contemporary approach to basketry in Australia, and many artists who came to know Douglas speak of the profound impact he had on their lives. Douglas' residency also enabled a transformation in his own practice, where he exploited his significant knowledge of basketry technique in the pursuit of a freer, more expressive and personal sculptural vision. Sadly ill health affected his ability to pursue this ambitious new direction on his return to the USA. Douglas died in 1986, but key components of 'Floating Forest' were acquired by the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, making it possible to mount a 30th anniversary presentation of 'Floating Forest' and celebrate Douglas' creative legacy. There are challenges associated with presenting 'Floating Forest' 30 years after its creation as there are no instructions to support a remounting of the installation according to the artist's wishes. However, the key components of 'Floating Forest' survive in the collection of the Powerhouse Museum and this 30th anniversary exhibition will provide an opportunity to present these sculptures, contextualised alongside photographs of the original installations and didactic panels exploring 'Floating Forest' and its influence. BASKETS FOR DOUGLAS To complement the 30th anniversary exhibition of 'Floating Forest', artists who knew Douglas Fuchs have been invited to create new baskets that reflect on Douglas Fuchs' creative legacy for the associated exhibition, 'Baskets for Douglas'. These vessels are a symbolic repository for each contributor's memories of Douglas and highlight the persistence of his influence 30 years on. Represented artists are Charlotte Drake-Brockman, Dion Channer, Pat Dale and Virginia Kaiser. ARARAT BASKETFEST 2012 A series of public programs will be presented to broaden the context in which basketry in Australia can be appreciated, 30 years after Douglas Fuchs' landmark installation. This program includes: - Exhibitions at Ararat Regional Art Gallery by Lucy Irvine and Wendy Golden. - Intensive workshops by Wendy Golden (18 & 19 February 2012) and Lucy Irvine (24 & 25 March 2012) to be held at Allanvale Shearer's Quarters, near Great Western. - A symposium on Saturday 31 March 2012 featuring key influences and experts in the Australian fibre art field and artists whose contemporary practices are informed by basketry techniques and traditions. - Children's workshops run by Cherree Densley on Saturday 31 March 2012 to coincide with the symposium. - The exhibition of 'The Big Basket' in the front window at Pegis boutique at 80 Barkly Street, Ararat from 22 February to 3 April 2012. This project was presented the result of a Children's Week 2011 collaboration between 100 local children and basket maker, Cherree Densley.
artist_biographical_note
The story begins in 1981, when Craft Australia had the foresight to bring out the US fibre artist Douglas Fuchs. At the time, the development of contemporary craft benefited immeasurably from these foreign visitors, bringing together the nascent communities of fibre, textile, metal, clay and glass artists. Fuchs was a fibre artist particularly inspired by traditional basketry, such as native American traditions. He travelled widely through Australia, giving workshops and spending time in Maningrida learning the ways of traditional Yolngu fibre crafts. The tour eventuated in the exhibition titled Floating Forest, which launched at Adelaide, Festival Centre in 1981, then toured Sydney and Melbourne in 1982. The visit was quite critical for Australian craft. Fuch's statement in the exhibition reflects the mystery that he seeks in fibre art: Psychologically the forest symbol represents the unknown in each person's being a beckoning desire to get lost, or discovering aspects of life that may be more challenging and difficult than already comprehended… My concept of a 'Floating Forest' environment was an attempt to construct and symbolise this state of feeling, this symbol that has become central in my imagination. Many other people have done it in different ways. I happen to be a person who makes objects in basketry techniques and materials. Ararat Regional Art Gallery presents Douglas Fuchs' monumental fibre installation, 'Floating Forest' from 17 February to 1 April 2012, in partnership with the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. Douglas Fuchs (1947-86) was an American basket maker who came to Australia on a Craft Council of Australia Fellowship in 1981-82. He arrived in June 1981 and visited Aboriginal weavers in Arnhem Land, which expanded his vision for a sculptural approach to basketry and encouraged his use of Australian plant materials. He arrived in Adelaide in July 1981 and set up a studio at The Jam Factory, where he began work on his ambitious 'Floating Forest' installation with the assistance of local artists. Douglas exhibited three versions of 'Floating Forest: at the Adelaide Festival Centre Gallery from 27 November to 24 December 1981, the Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne from 26 January to 28 February 1982 and the Crafts Councils Centre Gallery, Sydney from 1 to 23 May 1982. 'Floating Forest' is widely considered a landmark in the development of a contemporary approach to basketry in Australia, and many artists who came to know Douglas speak of the profound impact he had on their lives. Douglas' residency also enabled a transformation in his own practice, where he exploited his significant knowledge of basketry technique in the pursuit of a freer, more expressive and personal sculptural vision. Sadly ill health affected his ability to pursue this ambitious new direction on his return to the USA. Douglas died in 1986, but key components of 'Floating Forest' were acquired by the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, making it possible to mount a 30th anniversary presentation of 'Floating Forest' and celebrate Douglas' creative legacy. There are challenges associated with presenting 'Floating Forest' 30 years after its creation as there are no instructions to support a remounting of the installation according to the artist's wishes. However, the key components of 'Floating Forest' survive in the collection of the Powerhouse Museum and this 30th anniversary exhibition will provide an opportunity to present these sculptures, contextualised alongside photographs of the original installations and didactic panels exploring 'Floating Forest' and its influence. BASKETS FOR DOUGLAS To complement the 30th anniversary exhibition of 'Floating Forest', artists who knew Douglas Fuchs have been invited to create new baskets that reflect on Douglas Fuchs' creative legacy for the associated exhibition, 'Baskets for Douglas'. These vessels are a symbolic repository for each contributor's memories of Douglas and highlight the persistence of his influence 30 years on. Represented artists are Charlotte Drake-Brockman, Dion Channer, Pat Dale and Virginia Kaiser. ARARAT BASKETFEST 2012 A series of public programs will be presented to broaden the context in which basketry in Australia can be appreciated, 30 years after Douglas Fuchs' landmark installation. This program includes: - Exhibitions at Ararat Regional Art Gallery by Lucy Irvine and Wendy Golden. - Intensive workshops by Wendy Golden (18 & 19 February 2012) and Lucy Irvine (24 & 25 March 2012) to be held at Allanvale Shearer's Quarters, near Great Western. - A symposium on Saturday 31 March 2012 featuring key influences and experts in the Australian fibre art field and artists whose contemporary practices are informed by basketry techniques and traditions. - Children's workshops run by Cherree Densley on Saturday 31 March 2012 to coincide with the symposium. - The exhibition of 'The Big Basket' in the front window at Pegis boutique at 80 Barkly Street, Ararat from 22 February to 3 April 2012. This project was presented the result of a Children's Week 2011 collaboration between 100 local children and basket maker, Cherree Densley.
artist_biographical note
false
artist_reference:
artist_reference
http://arts-events-tourism.ararat.vic.gov.au/ararat-regional-art-gallery/exhibitions/event/260-douglas-fuchs'-'floating-forest'-30th-anniversary-exhibition
artist_reference
false
work_title:
Nekhbet and Wadjet
work_title
Nekhbet and Wadjet
work_title
false
work_medium:
Rolled press paper, waxed linen, lichen, vine and shell
work_medium
Rolled press paper, waxed linen, lichen, vine and shell
work_medium
false
work_technique:
fiber arts - basket
work_technique
fiber arts - basket
work_technique
false
work_date:
ca.1979
work_date
ca.1979
work_date
false
work_reference:
Clay Fiber Metal (National Invitational Exhibition) Catalog
work_reference
Clay Fiber Metal (National Invitational Exhibition) Catalog
work_reference
false
date_of_ record:
2015/03/24
date_of__record
2015/03/24
date_of_ record
false
name_cataloger:
ajc
name_cataloger
ajc
name_cataloger
false