About the Artist and Exhibition:

Gillian Farrow is a textile artist and maker with a long tradition of extending printmaking across a range of applications. Gillian transitioned from working on feature film and television in art and special effects to print and textile design. Since undertaking a Bachelor of Textile Design in 2007 at RMIT Melbourne Gillian has held numerous group and solo exhibitions, alongside private commissions, participated in arts development programs in the Yarra Valley and the Otways, and designed and delivered studio-based printmaking training workshops. Alongside her partner, Ian Westwood, Gillian also curates exhibitions across Victoria.

‘Strike off’ refers to the first print run of a new design; a mock-up to assess how the fabric takes the dye, how the colour presents, and how the artwork delivers its visual impact. The nuance of this name highlights the artisan and artistry of printmaking.

In Gillian’s latest exhibition our eye is first drawn to the backing cloths that hang from the ceiling. Years in the making these test pads capture the edges of each new print and in doing so act as a visual diary, showcasing Gillian’s history as a printmaker. The randomly printed layers combine to create a symphony of shape and colour. A diversity of pieces are spun out of the backing cloths for us to walk through, under and around. Together they form a celebration of Gillian’s printmaking career. This body of work is unified by the use of colour, geometric shapes and references to the natural world, an approach that distinctly defines Farrow’s work. Functional and artistic pieces combine to highlight the joy we should all seek in surrounding ourselves with beautiful hand crafted things that lighten our world and tread softly on the earth.

By Georgina de Beaujeu

View Strike Off Catalogue here (please note, sales from this catalogue have now closed)

For available works by Gillian Farrow, please contact the artist directly