Craft Conversations
Emma Shepherd is a weaver based on the Mornington Peninsula. She will be inviting us into her studio during the Virtual Open Studios program as a part of this year's Craft Contemporary festival.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became interested in Craft?
I am a weaver based on the Mornington Peninsula, and I create mainly textiles for the home, hangings, cushions, blankets, and some bags. I came across Craft during my degree in Textile Design. It was commonly known and was a great resource and inspiration ~ the support for makers has always felt like a comfort. A place to find like-minded, wonderful, creative folk, choosing perhaps a road less travelled.
What are some unusual places you draw inspiration from?
I am lucky enough to live on a farm, so I draw inspiration from the horses here, the beautiful birds, the natural materials. I live around the corner from a National Park and near the ocean, so look to these for colour direction. I have a beautiful collection of old books, gifts from my great aunt and a good friend, one of which include a draft book over 70 years old and is a constant source of wonder.
If we walked into your studio, what would we see you working on right now?
I have four looms in the studio, so I usually have at least two warps on the go. I enjoy having one that I can go slower on, to create one-off pieces that ask for more thought, and another that is more production-based, usually with a few cushions of bags on it.
Who is an underrepresented artist we should be looking at right now?
Oh god, I’m sure there are many I could list, but I couldn’t go past shouting out my weaving friends, Billie Jo Fookes, Vic Pemberton and Kim McKechnie, who are incredibly dedicated, skilled artists (as well as magical people).
In response to COVID-19, a lot of people have re-evaluated the way they work. What impact has the pandemic had on your practice? Were they positive or negative? Have you adopted any new skills or techniques that you otherwise may not have?
I have been one of the lucky ones through this time, as COVID has allowed me to spend long stretches in my studio. This has really allowed me time to develop my technical skills and understand the direction I want to head in. It has given me the time I needed to evolve my work.
What craft contemporary events are you most looking forward to seeing this October?
I always look forward to Craft’s monthly workshops and discovering new links to talks and articles from Amanda Ho’s bi-monthly newsletter.
Thank you for your time, Emma. We look forward to seeing you in this year's Virtual Open Studios!
Interviewed by Eloise Sim, Curatorial and Programs Assistant