Natural Fibres as Contemporary Art

Name: Natural Fibres as Contemporary Art
Start: 2026-06-13T23:00:00+12:00
End: 2026-06-14T07:00:00+12:00
Location: NMIT

Schedule

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026 at 11:00 pm to Sun, 14 Jun, 2026 at 07:00 am

UTC+12:00

Location

NMIT | Nelson, NE

Led by Lane Hawkins.
Join Lane for a fun day exploring a range of natural plant fibres and how we can use fibre to create contemporary art objects and sculpture. This will be a hands-on experience looking at new possibilities with plant fibres and how traditional techniques can be used to weave, manipulate and sculpt.
You will leave with a hand-crafted piece of your own work. You'll learn about a wide range of plant fibers and learn about sustainable harvesting, preparation, storage and use. There will be a show and tell of woven contemporary art pieces, and you will learn about the construction process, technique, finishes and how to mount and display your art. We will examine simple weaving techniques, focusing on practice and development.
The second part of the workshop will be spent making your own sculptures, using natural fibers and weaving skills. This workshop is open for everyone, whether you have no weaving skills or are a master weaver, there is something new to learn. All materials will be supplied. You'll take home self-made woven sculptures, along with an enhanced understanding and application of new weaving techniques.
Lane Hawkins is a contemporary artist and weaver based in Nelson, known for transforming locally harvested natural materials into refined, sculptural forms. His practice draws deeply on a range of weaving techniques, creating works that sit at the intersection of sustainability and contemporary design.
Working with a range of fibres and other materials, Lane dyes, prepares, and weaves each piece entirely by hand, allowing the materials to guide the final form. His vessels, panels, and sculptural works often explore the relationship between people and the natural environment, reflecting traditional practice and modern artistic expression.
Lane holds a Bachelor in Art and Visual Culture from Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, where he majored in weaving. Active in the Nelson arts community, he exhibits widely and shares his craft through galleries, workshops and educational activities.