Bundaberg’s Paul Perry has collaborated with mosaic artists from around the world to create a giant handmade glass mosaic scarf for the Hanging by a Thread project.
The scarf will be the focus of celebrations on Wednesday 21 September 2022 for the United Nations International Day of Peace.
The Hanging by a Thread project is backed by the UN International Year of Glass (UNIYOG22) and involves over 1,200 mosaic artists from 47 countries, each having made one or more segments of 10 x 25 cm in glass mosaic.
Made by Queensland artists as part of an international project to support Afghan women and girls, the mosaic scarf is on display in the ground floor of the Brisbane Square Library during September and October 2022.
“This international collective work represents the resilience of Afghan culture beyond its own borders,” Paul said.
“Afghan culture survives to remind us that our own freedom is also hanging by a thread.”
Afghanistan is a diverse country with 34 provinces and over 14 ethnic groups who each have their own traditional outfits.
Traditional dresses are beautiful and colourful, they feature intricate patterns, rich colours, gold embroidery and are all emblematic of Afghan culture.
The Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ) has teamed up with the international collaborators to bring the project to life in Queensland.
Paul said scarves had also been made and exhibitions were planned for New South Wales, Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand.
There will be seven scarves weaving through six Australian states and New Zealand during 2022 and 2023, culminating in a joint exhibition in Canberra.
Once all scarves from Australia and New Zealand are joined the artwork Mosaic for Afghan Women – Hanging by a Thread will be 19 meters long.
To find out more information click here.
The Queensland exhibition is accessible during September and October at the Brisbane Square Library during opening hours: Monday to Thursday between 9 am tp 6 pm, Friday 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.
The Hanging by a Thread exhibition will be closed on public holidays.
- Other news: 2022 Milbi Festival program launched