Marlene Greenwood- "A Whimsy Original"

Marlene has a considerable background in art education, having completed two degrees in art, education, English literature and art history as well as many practical courses. After teaching art and English for twenty five years, recently she has had the opportunity to follow her consuming interest in textile arts. This has been expressed in ecclesiastic hangings – very large – and in miniature and medium sized silk paintings with embroidery. An important part of her current work is in fashion design; in particular she delights in spending many hours on amazing fantasy outfits. These whimsical pieces are supplemented by two and three piece ensembles, jackets, vests, and gowns of a more reasonable style, available for sale.

With the design of the fabric, (Marlene now works almost exclusively in silk), she has moved to creating original "art clothes" - each a unique combination of the fabric and the style. English literature always comes into play with the themes of the many works. The design process, and in particular an intense interest in colour and texture, have always been the basis of her work. Drawing in pen and ink, pastels, and pencil are also of great importance; she loves painting, particularly in abstracted forms of nature in luscious impasto, or in the delicate tonal nuances of water colours. All these art skills are carried through into the textile work which will often incorporate the exploration of many textile techniques: not only silk painting, but appliqué, quilting, machine embroidery, printing and beading.

Marlene is also involved in the creation of ecclesiastic hangings – six major pieces have been constructed: three for Canberra churches, two for the National Council of Churches, one for a public shopping mall and another for a private collection. She has designed a major quilt for the Bicentennial Quilt Exhibition for TASDA, a Quilt for the Buddy Program of Diabetes ACT, the logo for the Embroiderers’ Guild of ACT, and many smaller pieces for various churches and community projects. Four ecclesiastic stoles have also been made, one going to South Africa, and a variety of banners and other works for the community have been completed over the last twenty years.

Her current major project is the continuing development of a wearable art performance and awards for Canberra. The premiere of Fashion Flair and Fantasy with the involvement of Legs Dance, was held at Belconnen Theatre in 1999. Since then the fantasy section of each Art Thread Design and TASDA exhibition has carried this name, and designs from six to eight artists have been shown. There have been performances at Floriade, The Made from Australia Gallery, The Festival of Contemporary Art, the Canberra Museum and Gallery and the Australian Bureau of Statistics as well as local charities In 2005 an attempt was made at a performance at The National Museum, but this year 2006, Marlene has established flairwear, which will produce four shows a year. Three minor ones will contribute directly to Child Wise™, the Australian branch of ECPAT (end child prostitution and trafficking), and will involve exhibitions, concert/ recital, fashion parade and wearable art performance. The fourth performance and awards will return exclusively to the area of wearable art with this one involving many of the performing arts groups in Canberra and district. The first major event is scheduled for early 2007.

2007 Calendar of Events

www.flairwear.biz

Photography by Jennifer Phillips, Silas Brown, Malcolm Smith, Elizabeth Hawkes, Marlene Greenwood and the Heidi Smith group.