Julie Paterson is one of Australia’s pre-eminent textile designers, who launched her renowned design business, Cloth Fabric, over 20 years ago. Paterson’s new exhibition at Platform Gallery in Katoomba sees the official launch of her new label, ScrapCloth.
“ScrapCloth was born from my philosophy of a simple, environmentally conscious life,” she said. “Instead of sending excess fabric left over from manufacturing to landfill, I re-use all the scraps, reworking them into handsome new objects for the home.”
Curator of Platform Gallery, Kelly Heylen, said: “ScrapCloth is proving to be wildly popular with our audience, who want art and homewares that respect both the environment and the creative process. I’m so pleased we could support such a fantastic local designer by launching her new line here at Platform.”
“We also have some of Julie’s historical work sitting alongside the ScrapCloth pieces. One of the most unusual and collectible is the multi-prints,” said Kelly. “These were developed in collaboration with Julie's printer, and together they create a snapshot of design history, as Julie’s designs have been built up, in a considered way, on the fabric over the years. Whoever takes home one of these for their wall will be very lucky indeed.”
Paterson’s exhibition, Use Me Up, is on at Platform Gallery in Civic Place until October 9. It features cushions, lamps, rugs, artworks and more, featuring her signature textile designs which are drawn from the Australian landscape, flora and fauna.
“My textiles are all about place; about my experience in this landscape,” said Paterson. “In my new ScrapCloth range, I curate colours and patterns to combine my textiles with other manufacturing left overs to bring new life to old things.
“When people buy one of my lamps, for example, they’re not only seeing a beautiful design object, but a way of life – a statement about treading lightly and living purposefully.”
