TIES WITH TRADITION:
MACEDONIAN APRON DESIGNS
8-27 April | 2010
Ties with Tradition: Macedonian Apron Designs features a vivid selection of traditional Macedonian aprons alongside stories of the Illawarra women who made them. The collection highlights the fascinating history of Macedonian migration to Australia. It leads to a better understanding of female roles in migration, the plight of migrant groups and sacrifices made by families in countries where both politics and economics may have worked against them.
The FCA Gallery is proud to present this exhibition in partnership with
The Powerhouse Museum
The Migration Heritage Centre, Sydney
UOW School of Art & Design
UOW Diversity Week
UOW Office Of Community & Partnerships and the
Macedonian Welfare Association, Port Kembla
This exhibition, first shown during Sydney Design Week in 2009, is on display in Wollongong for a limited period at the FCA Gallery, University of Wollongong as part of the Diversity Week program.
The exhibition curated by the Powerhouse Museum showcases over 25 Macedonian aprons from the Illawarra region, traditionally used for weddings, other special occasions and everyday use.
The idea for the exhibition came to light through the Macedonian apron research project, initiated by Mendo Trajcevski from the Macedonian Welfare Association Inc. and heritage consultant, Meredith Walker, through which women from the Illawarra were interviewed about their aprons.
The beautifully woven aprons evoke a tradition reflecting centuries of village life in the Macedonian mountains and valleys. The aprons were brought to Australia by women who migrated to the Illawarra area with their families from the 1950s onwards. Download FCA Media Release
The Exhibition includes publication of the same name. The catalogue includes essays on the history of Macedonian migration to the Illawarra, the aprons research project and the craft of apron making. The book is based on research by the Macedonian Welfare Association Inc., heritage consultant Meredith Walker, the Powerhouse Museum’s NSW Migration Heritage Centre and Powerhouse Museum curatorial staff Lindie Ward and Rebecca Evans. Order from Powerhouse Museum Shop.
Ties with Tradition: Macedonian Apron Designs will be open to the public from 8 – 26 April. A reception celebrating the exhibition and its’ origins will be held in conjunction with UOW’s Diversity Week festivities on:
Thursday 22 April 2010 @ 3pm
FCA Gallery, Building 25, Faculty of Creative Arts, UOW
Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend.
Download Exhibition Invitation
Further information about the aprons can be found at www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au
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Location: FCA Gallery
Building 25,Faculty of Creative Arts
University of Wollongong
Gallery Hours: 9am – 5pm, Mon-Fri
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Parking: Pay and Display parking is available in the Western Carpark P4 for visitors to the University. View Details
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For further information contact the
School of Art and Design, Faculty of Creative Arts
Phone: 02 4221 5853 or 02 4221 3996
Email: aandd_info@uow.edu.au
March 2010
Faculty of Creative Arts
University of Wollongong
