Friday, August 14, 2015

POMS AWAY! An Interview with Crafter Meredith Walker-Harding about her upcoming exhibition at Sweets Workshop

 By Meredith Walker-Harding
22 August - 3 October

What is your exhibition ‘Poms Away’ about, what can people expect to see in the show?
‘Poms Away’ is a celebration of the humble Pom Pom! People can expect to see poms attached to all sorts of things: garlands, chandeliers, cushions, wall hangings, baskets, pennants - basically anything I could whack a pom on!


 
Why the Pom Pom?
I love how tactile, accessible and nostalgic poms are.
Everyone can remember making them in primary school arts and crafts: sitting cross-legged on the carpet, trying to squish a big ball of cheap acrylic wool through the holes of two crookedly cut cardboard donuts. After what seemed like hours of wrapping, snipping and failed attempts of securely tying off, your heart would swell with joy when you popped out the finished product - a cute, squishy, colourful ball of fluff! 


My materials and making methods may have changed, but I am still struck with wonder  each time I make one, at how something with such ordinary beginnings can turn out to be so beautiful!



Can you tell us where you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from all sorts of places - traditional Polish holiday decorations, the quilts of Gee’s Bend in Alabama, vintage sports pennants, Japanese fabric, flower markets, craft stores and Pinterest to name a few.


What are some of the challenges you have experienced in your process?
Cleaning up after an epic pom-making session can be a challenge - that fluff gets everywhere!