invitation
to be part of an international stitching project for an exhibition in February 2027
I am preparing for an exhibition of my work to be held at Fabrik Arts+Heritage in Lobethal, South Australia, during February & March of 2027. The provisional statement describing my proposal is as follows ::
beloved
a collection of hand-stitched and plant-dyed meditations on the fragility of the present and the impermanence of the future; wrapping cloths conceived to celebrate and honour the departed and enfold them during the ritual of their passing from this world into the next, pieced from fragments over which the needle has travelled slowly.
composite textiles dyed with leaves, roots, bark, and blossoms, infused with memory and the scent of place, these cloths acknowledge earth as both cradle and grave.
the cloths are intended not only as coverings but companions — tender gestures of farewell, shaped by hand, marked by time, and designed to decompose with grace.
in a world in which so many continue to die violently at the hands of others, this exhibition makes a space to consider the luxury of leaving lightly, and what it might mean to be woven once more into the fabric of the land.
what I am asking of you (assuming you would like to join me)
Using undyed threads, stitch on a fragment of undyed natural fibre cloth. The size is up to you, though you may wish to bear in mind that it will (I hope) eventually be sent to Australia by mail.
You might wish to stitch randomly, to add pattern or perhaps to stitch the name of a person or place you would like to be remembered.
It could be the name of someone1 you love and have lost, a place dear to your heart, the name of an innocent victim of war, or simply the word ‘remember’ in the language of your choice.
It is intended as a secular project, open to all, so I respectfully request that the names of deities, religions and specific religious references not be included.
Participants are invited to mail their stitched fragments directly to me. I will note the name of the contributor (so that they can be acknowledged in the exhibition) and keep the pieces safe until the time for joining them all together. Pieces will not be returned.
You may stitch one piece, or several. If you can spare any pearl buttons or clear/uncoloured glass beads to sew on as well, that would be lovely…I am imagining the work becoming a “blanket all covered in stars”2 , as much an object of hope as one of remembrance.
If there are many pieces, their stitching together will take place in one of the workshop spaces at Fabrik and anyone able to travel there will be invited to help. If just a handful…then I will join them to a backing cloth quietly at home. Either way your contribution will be valued. I hope to self-publish a catalogue for the exhibition. Whether this becomes a “print on demand” affair, or a limited edition print run is still being explored. Either way interested parties will be able to place an order to secure a copy. (All of the contributors’ names will be printed in the catalogue.)
The composite cloth, to be titled “requiem”3, will be displayed as part of the exhibition “beloved” in the Upstairs Gallery at Fabrik during the Adelaide Fringe in 2027.
Stitched pieces to arrive in Australia by November 14, 2026
Exhibition dates :: 12 February – 4 April, 2027
Mail to ::
India Flint. PO Box 209, Mount Pleasant 5235, Peramangk Country, South Australia, Australia
answers to questions you may have
does the cloth need to be hemmed?
no
is there a fee to participate?
no
will there be a cost for the catalogue?
yes, I’m afraid so
is participation limited to subscribers ?
no, though if you want to be sure of catching any updates on the project, subscribing will ensure the news makes it to your inbox (whether free or paid)
may I share this with friends who might like to participate?
yes, please do!
not necessarily human
you may be familiar with the book “the tiny star” by Mem Fox & Freya Blackwood…our cloth is inspired by the blanket mentioned in it https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-tiny-star-9780670078127
requiem
Though often used to describe a piece of music, the word “requiem” refers to any act of remembrance or a composition honouring the deceased, even if not specifically religious.
delivery by this date should allow sufficient time for the pieces to be joined together and photographed for the catalogue
Dear India Flint,
I have been forwarded your email by my mum. I have read it with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful concept and it's very interesting how apt this is to my life at this moment in time.
I very recently said goodbye to my dear Aunty Jude who died of cancer in February. She was amongst many other things a talented textile artist and often referred to your work as inspiration in our conversations.
When she died I worked with my grief in the imagining of a cloak. This is a project that I am working on, hand sewn, exploring the weight of grief and it's lightness.
It is so interesting to read your email, as the timing is uncanny. I am also going to be visiting Australia in two years to visit my cousin, my departed aunt's son, who so beautifully honoured her death with a very individual and perfect funeral.
I would love to participate in your project, and how strange it is that I will be visiting Australia that year you would like to exhibit.
The world works in some mysterious ways.....
Thank you
Thank you India! What a heartfelt project to be involved with… remembrance is such a valuable honouring of so very many. The peace of stitching memories gives solace to the soul. I will participate with joy and gifts from our Mother Earth…. Warmest wishes to all participants 💖