Woven Painting: Open Studio with Jackson McLaren

An emerging artist based in Melbourne/Naarm, Jackson McLaren began his exploration of textile practice during the 2020 lockdowns. With no access to his studio and reduced access to his normal painting materials, he was encouraged by a close friend to pick up a needle and thread. Working with materials from around his home, this practice became a meditative task.  

Introduced to tapestry weaving through one of our weaving classes, McLaren’s practice has expanded to incorporate tapestry as vehicle to explore colour and texture.  Through his residency at the ATW, McLaren has been able to advance his weaving practice at a new scale. 

As part of this Open Studio event, hear from McLaren as he speaks about his practice working between painting and textiles to explore the possibilities of abstraction. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in an afternoon of collective making as McLaren leads the creation of small-scale stitched canvas using found materials and post-production waste from the ATW.  

Jackson McLaren completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) 2022 and a Bachelor of Fine Art (Painting) 2021, both at the Victorian College of the Arts. Recent exhibitions include Gallery9, 2024, The Zither Player, Connors Connors, Melbourne, 2023; Folding at the Cutting, with Madeleine Peters, The Cutting, Illowa, 2023; The Universe Speaks in Small Paintings, Bards Apothecary, Melbourne, 2023; Of Stuff, Egg & Dart, Wollongong, 2022.