Shunyam Smith has been tapestry weaving since the early 1960's. Can someone with that much experience work on autopilot when weaving her detailed and meticulous tapestries?
S&HG// When you’re making, what are you thinking about? Is it all technical or are you able to let your mind wander?
Yes, it is technical, particularly in the beginning, and I guess throughout the process, and takes all my attention, but once on a roll with the work, I find part of my brain takes care of the technicalities, and the other part of my mind can wander free. Sometimes I listen to Radio National or a talking book, when weaving but part of my mind is always watching and evaluating what I am doing with my hands. Some of my weavings take weeks or months to make but I never get bored or impatient to be finished.
S&HG// Have you ever had makers block? How do you overcome it?
Yes, that is where I am now. It often happens at the end of a long project like this exhibition. After it is over, I fall into this 'gap', and don't know quite what to do with myself for a while, walking around in circles not being able to decide what to do, really wanting to be back in the studio working.
The way I overcome it is to throw myself back into gardening and outdoor things. Lots of walking on the beach, yoga, coffee with friends etc. Soon the longing to be back in my studio arises, and away I go again with something new.
S&HG// Overall, is your art practice meditation or migraine?
My work is definitely a meditation, allowing me to get lost in what I am doing for hours and hours, with little thought of the outside world. Just playing with threads and colours.
