MALCOLM HARRISON | A CELEBRATION

3 June 2019 – 25 August 2019

This selection from the estate of nationally acclaimed textile artist Malcolm Harrison is a wonderful insight into the extent of his practice. His achievements in the areas of quilting and embroidery are well known; however, this collection illuminates the breadth and depth of his skills and interests. It showcases his finely developed craftsmanship across numerous genre – painted works on paper, small sculpture, assemblages, poetry, illustrations and the writing of children’s books. Alongside this; sketch books, designs for future works and works in progress give a fascinating insight into the workings of an artist.

Image Credit: Malcolm Harrison, Evening Shadows on Autumn Spring, 1968, unfinished wool embroidered tapestry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Malcolm Harrison

1941

Born in Christchurch

Early taste for fabric was developed upon leaving school when he took up an apprenticeship as a window dresser for the formerly DIC Department Store (now Ballantynes) in Christchurch alongside taking night classes in patternmaking

1960s

Worked in fashion design in Auckland,    initially for designer Colin Cole before opening his own boutique Jasper Johnson’s Jamboree

1970s

Began quilt-making, early quilts created from dress fabric scraps

1979

First exhibition at Denis Cohn gallery in Auckland

1983

The collection entitled The Family was conceived (a total of 35 doll like figures were crafted over 30 years)

1992

Represented New Zealand at the Fibre Triennial in Lodz, Poland

1994-96

These are Matters of Pride and Whanaungatanga (Relationships), commissions for New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington

2004

Awarded the inaugural Creative New Zealand Craft/Object Fellowship, worth $65,000

 2007

Died aged 66 in his Waiheke home

2007-8

Open and Closed Spaces, a tribute to his late father, commissioned by Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History, toured from Auckland to Invercargill

2008

Exhibition Fifty Years Journey through a Flower Market, exhibition at Janne Land gallery

2008

Requiem, exhibition at Objectspace Gallery