First threads woven for Centenary tapestry

The first threads of the Canberra Centenary Community Tapestry were woven at the ANU School of Art this week.

The 2.7m by 1.4m tapestry, which will include key landmarks such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and Black Mountain Tower, will commemorate Canberra’s history, as well as celebrate its future.

Robin Archer, Creative Director of The Centenary of Canberra, was one of the first people to contribute to the tapestry, at the Textiles Workshop at the School of Art.

“The participatory nature of the making of this tapestry means that many who are not skilled in the art will still be able to make a contribution. I encourage everyone to come and pick up the needle.

“My mother was a highly skilled seamstress,” she said. “So to be able to sew one of the first threads has a special meaning for me.”

The project is being overseen by Ms Valerie Kirk, Senior Lecturer and Head of Textiles at the ANU School of Art.

“The Canberra Centenary Community Tapestry will tell the story of Canberra through its design and by the many hands that will weave the coloured weft yarns into the warp,” she said.

Tapestry workshops will be open to the public in the New Year, allowing anyone to contribute to this momentous project, which is scheduled to be completed late next year.

For more information about the project, and how you can contribute, contact communitycentenarytapestry@anu.edu.au or visit www.canberra100communitytapestry.com.