ROBBY WRIGHT “PELT”

A textile exhibition in New Zealand and a glimpse of ethereal nuno felted wraps inspired me to learn how to felt. Felt is a magnificent medium, permitting the construction of robust, sculptural pieces or the lightest wispy garments; I am forever amazed by its versatility and challenge.

My inspiration comes from the weather and the natural world, from the shapes, colours and forms that I see out of my window. Living on the Far North Coast of NSW puts nature right “in my face”. I am also influenced by the structures of the fashion world; that heel on a shoe could be adapted to form a bag, that bag shape might make a brilliant hat!

I have exhibited and sold work at North Coast exhibitions, galleries and shows and successfully exhibited and sold scarves at the Melbourne Scarf Festival. In 2007 I won the Ashford Felting Prize at the Alice Springs Beanie Competition.

At present I am investigating the potential for felted 3D pieces in the form of a totem pole made of felted stones, wood and leaves.

Felted garments should be hand washed using soap flakes, dried flat and ironed into shape on the silk or wool setting.