Ann Ferguson

The conversation that lit the spark
Deb The theme of the next Gather exhibition could be “Play”
Ann I love it.... let’s look at the puppets Paul Klee made for
his son. I can make the heads from fired clay! Yeh!!

The conversations that started the fire
Ann & Gina Remembrances of childhood dolls, namely “the Barbies,” everyone loved to make costumes for their dollies. Perhaps we could combine Paul Klee’s style of characters and Barbie’s style of joy?

Conversations that fanned the flames!
The Gather Group decided:
 We need to use natural fabrics and fibres.
 We want to make a group of characters that expresses a ‘whole of life’ order, inclusive of plants, animals and humans.
 The costumes and support system will have common elements to connect the characters – the colours determined by fabric dyed with plant materials.

Marg, led a plant dye workshop for the donated fabrics.

Gina, cut the support poles from bamboo and drill holes in the bases to fit.

The fire took off!
The costumers come out in droves,
They chose their head, fabric and length of bamboo.
They loved the communal aspect of puppet making
And using materials made by group members
Of working with a community of creative women
And making something totally new and unexpected
Of recalling the pure joy of making fantastical things as a child
And being liberated and given space to play

The outcome
An installation or gathering for the future.
Full of joy, love of life, and incredible creativity!

Artist involved in dressing the characters:
Andi, Ann, Catherine O, Catherine P, Charlotte, Deb, Emily, Jenny, Julie D, Julie M, Julie B, Kathy, Marg, Mim, Pip, Rebecca, Robin, Sal, Sasha, Sue, Suzanne