UPDATE: A transformative art project celebrating cotton in Maranoa has just received a federal grant of $15,176. Announced by David Littleproud, Leader of The Nationals, this funding aims to highlight the cultural significance of cotton in the region.
The project, titled ‘Reparative Threads’, unites three local galleries: Dogwood Crossing at Miles, Lapunyah Art Gallery at Chinchilla, and Gallery 107 at Dalby. This initiative is set to culminate in a multi-site community exhibition that will engage residents across the Western Downs.
“This project recognizes the importance of cotton in our daily lives and culture,” said Mr. Littleproud. With Maranoa covering 119,200 hectares of cotton landscape, including nearly 20,000 hectares of cotton-based properties, this art initiative is vital for acknowledging the region’s agricultural heritage and its artistic potential.
Helen Dennis, president of Lapunyah Art Gallery, stated that ‘Reparative Threads’ will delve into the cultural and material impacts of cotton. Collaborating with renowned artist Dr. Karike Ashworth, the project will utilize discarded cotton litter from local roadsides, honoring overlooked labor while celebrating the rich rural identity of the area.
Participating communities will engage in labor-intensive activities such as ginning, scouring, drying, and spinning cotton. Local textile groups will work alongside Dr. Ashworth to transform raw cotton into thread, creating stunning visual pieces that reflect the region’s history.
The process will also involve crafting bundled papers and plants tied with the spun cotton thread, which will then be dyed using natural dyes. These dyed materials will be incorporated into coptic and stab-bound books, merging textile and paper traditions into a cohesive artistic expression.
“This initiative is ultimately about care, dialogue, and reclamation,” Dennis emphasized. “We aim to transform waste into meaningful art that returns beauty and thoughtfulness to our community.”
The Lapunyah Art Gallery is part of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct, a project revitalized through collaboration between the Western Downs Regional Council and funding secured by Mr. Littleproud from the former federal government.
As the project progresses, residents are encouraged to participate, fostering a sense of community and connection to the cotton industry. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting artistic journey that not only honors cotton’s legacy but also enriches the cultural fabric of Maranoa.
