Meet the Makers

Jade Fisher is an abstract realism portrait artist, predominantly working with acrylic on canvas. Using bold colour and expressive marks, Jade captures the spirit and emotion of each subject.

Bronwyn Whyatt is a local visual artist whose creative practice began in her grandmother’s sewing room, where she first explored textiles. Drawing on reclaimed fabrics in striking colour palettes, her quilts evoke a sense of nostalgia while reinterpreting materials from decades past. More recently she has expanded her textile work to include finely crafted, handwoven rag rugs made from repurposed materials.

Bronwen’s travels have brought forth whimsical watercolour sketches of historic buildings along the backroads of the Adelaide Hills and beyond …

Previous Makers at Fabrik

Sue Garrard is a South Australian based artist working in the areas of jewellery, print-making and installation. Making has always been an essential part of her identity and she crafts jewellery from reclaimed and recycled materials, inviting a reflection on sustainability and ethical design.

Each piece Sue makes embodies the intimacy of creating and celebrates the possibilities of re-use, proving a “second-life” can be both beautiful and gentle on the planet.

Photo of Sue by Connor Patterson courtesy of JamFactory

Tikari Rigney is a non-binary Kaurna, Narrunga and Ngarrindjeri visual artist and poet living on unceded Kaurna land. Textiles, drawing, painting and poetry are the mediums of choice at the moment but this will inevitably evolve from month to month. Their practice references their queer bodily experience, Aboriginality and the complexities of human connection. Exploring themes of humor, rebirth and emotional vulnerability. Tikari writes and makes things, so they don’t forget, remember how to feel and understand themself.

Jess Boyle from Rustic Wren is a local leather maker, is all about creating bespoke leather goods that not only look beautiful but feel wonderful to use.

Lara Doddy & Rose Moeke. Back in May 2023, Rose and Lara came across a “Back to Basics Maori Weaving Mahi Toi” workshop with Sonia Tilley in the Southern suburbs of Adelaide. They decided to attend and since then they’ve formed a close bond and a beautiful sisterhood over their shared passion for Maori weaving. Rose and Lara combine contemporary material with traditional techniques, creating something truly special. For them, making Kakahu (cloak) is more than just a craft; it’s a spiritual connection. It ties them to their Whakapapa (ancestral lineage),  Whenua (land), and Wairua (spirit). Through their creations, they’re not just making garments; they are weaving stories, preserving their culture and embodying mana (spiritual energy and power). 

Anne Griffiths @griffiths6849. Anne uses her felt making techniques to create a range of exquisite woollen vessels and more. We thank Anne for being one of our first Makers here at Fabrik.

Fiona Connell: Textile artist using reclaimed materials and exploring themes of sustainability and personal experiences of chronic illness and hidden disability.
Visit Fiona’s website.

Marilyn Moloney of Up It Tee Designs. Marilyn incorporates slow stitch when she creates characters, bags & pouches all made from repurposed fabric that has been removed from book covers.

Fiona McIntosh is an emerging visual artist exploring themes of nature, the microscopic, unseen and overlooked. Working predominantly with wool and the labour intensive process of needle felting, she creates densely accumulated, monochromatic assemblages that give visibility to natures hidden wonders.

While at Fabrik, Fiona looks forward to opening up a limited number of one-on-one beginner needle felting sessions. For more information or to book a time, please contact her directly through her website, Instagram or in person at Fabrik.

fionamcintosh@bigpond.com

Images: Sam Roberts

Barbara Millwood: Artist’s Statement

Living in the Adelaide Hills inspires and informs my art. Here I am surrounded by nature and it is a major influence. I primarily work with textiles and mixed media, producing artwork and jewellery, with the occasional foray into artist’s books. I am attracted to old abandoned buildings, aged and weathered object, discarded detritus and surfaces with a patina of age and wear. Like most artists I am an obsessive collector… old objects, jewellery, antique laces, buttons, little curios, rusty objects, old tools and a myriad other things. Usually they inspire my work… and sometimes they find their way into my work.!

Janys Davies is a weaver, using a variety of looms to weave wearable art using natural fibres (silk, wool, alpaca, cotton) sourced locally where possible.

Kathy of Kathys Fibres is an indie dyer living in the beautiful Adelaide Hills who is passionate about colour.

Sharon Wollaston of Home Spun by Sharon, has a life-long love for hand spun fibre, knitting and crochet. Sharon’s amazing array of woollen goodness is with us here at Fabrik till Christmas.

Dawn of Aurora Dawn is a local Fibre Artist in Peramangk Country, Adelaide Hills. She makes and sells bespoke clothing and lifestyle garments with gently used wool blanketing.

Nathan Douglas Day the Wizard makes clothing, accessories and art out of recycled vintage and scrap fabrics. “I search for ways to reuse what would otherwise head to landfill.”