FABRICATING THE WORLD | TAPESTRIES FROM FRANCE AND FLANDERS | From Mediaeval to Modern with Cresside Collette

In this illustrated lecture Cresside Collette will explore the history of tapestry weaving in these European centres over the centuries, and discuss the major suites of tapestries such as the 14^th century Apocalypse of Angers and the 15^th century Lady and the Unicorn that exist to this day.

With attention to both history and technique, she will demonstrate the ways in which technical and visual convention has both informed recent developments in French tapestry weaving and enabled the recent emergence of new and innovative style and content.

CRESSIDE COLLETTE is a tapestry artist and founding weaver of the Australian Tapestry Workshop. She taught tapestry weaving and drawing in the Studio Textiles course at RMIT for 11 years. Since 2011 she has run her annual tour Mastering the Fine Art of Tapestry to France and the United Kingdom to engage with the historical context and contemporary practice of this rich, tactile art form.

Ateliers de la Marche, detail from Millefleurs à la Licorne, Aubusson region, France, 15^th century (Thought to be the first woven unicorn)

Designed by Nicolas Buffe, Atelier Patrick Guillot, detail of Peau de Licorne (Skin of the Unicorn), Aubusson, France, 2011