Woolgather

I am pleased to introduce this volume 3 catalogue of artworks 2021 – 2023, showcasing Louise Gregg’s ongoing work.

Viewing the previous volume 1 & 2 catalogues, indicates a commonality with Louise’s artwork – textiles. An unclaimed textile artist, Louise makes her work with the intuitive and subconscious commonality of textile art ever present, and in this instance with the series of work presented, thread is elevated to high art.

This series of work titled ‘Woolgather’, which began in 2021, continues Louise Gregg’s practice-led studio research into colour and form. ‘Woolgather’ leaves Louise’s previous work and embarks on new discoveries. A new studio methodology is investigated and applied for the works presented in this artist catalogue.

Prior works have nurtured Louise’s discipline, studio technique, quality, vision, narrative and semiotic language. I must acknowledge Louise’s previous work ‘Birdsong’ 2020, as a precursor to this current series (see vol 2 catalogue 2012- 2020). ‘Birdsong’ positions Louise’s technique with thread in a casual, and calligraphic response, there is a loosening and freedom appearing in the sensitive application of material, a gesturality can be considered. The thread is fixed to the blanket structure and creates imagery.

Louise envisions ‘Woolgather’ from an alternate perspective. In previous work, the thread was part of, and attached to the base structure for image construction. The blanket base structure is now removed in ‘Woolgather’ and the thread it- self is the structure alone – thread creates form. This is a paradigm shifting moment in her practice. Subsequently, thread creates colour, and thread supports narrative through the embedded semiotics that have been introduced with colour combinations.

Louise is also currently working on a parallel series titled ‘Shimmer’. These works adopt a machine approach with the use of the Tufting Gun. With the tufting pieces fixed to metallic painted surfaces, the works move back to the wall from three dimensional space that ‘Woolgather’ occupies. The ‘Shimmer’ series extends on Louise’s investigation into abstract forms, colour, and texture. Again, there is a religious or aesthetic of higher consciousness appearing in the work. As with ‘Woolgather’, I liken these emotive pieces to the renaissance spiritual halo/aura on subjects, and ‘Shimmer’ with the gold metallic background, alludes to religious icon art. It has been many an objective for artists to contact the spiritual realm with and through their art, Louise Gregg ensures this is approachable for us.

Dr Vaughn Pinxit
Federal, Queensland, Australia 2023.