“Boundaries & borders”
A retrospective in textiles by Jillian Finch and friends

Boundaries and Borders showcases an artist’s journey from limitation to freedom expressed through creative symbols. The textile art retrospective is a collaborated set of works by Dandenong Ranges artist, Jillian Finch.

Jillian uses simple symbols such as spirals, squares and circles blended with more complex images worked onto textile materials from around the world. Materials such as copper paper from France, kimono material and festive flags in Japanese silk, silk leaf from India and Arabic poems on calico are used. Added to this is a local mixture of handmade and industrial felts, silk and handmade papers married up with images from different nations and peoples.

In studying themes of portals, frames and simple symbols, Jillian currently finds the mid-winter motifs relevant on the approach of winter solstice.

“Although I like squares, the structured and the limited, I am finding that spirals are uppermost in my mind as we approach mid-winter. The pattern of the spiral opens out whereas the square defines the boundaries and gives structure.” She adds, “It’s very much a work in progress as I continue the process of mapping and working on the new forms that have emerged.”

“Symbols have a universal theme. I’m involved in the organic process of showing boundaries and borders which can unravel, fray at the edges and the results of that emerge into something new which softens and moves beyond borders,” she explains.

Growing up in Western Australia, Jillian was surrounded by the Australian landscape and its magnificent colours which continue to inspire her work today. Her extensive travels throughout the Middle East, Asia and Europe added to her inspiration.