Ruff at Chrissie Cotter Gallery

Friday, 29 March 2019

Beautiful, wearable art, in the form of opulent neckpieces (or ruffs), will feature at the next exhibition at Chrissie Cotter gallery.

Artist Christina Newberry will showcase her collection of unique and elaborate neckpieces along with a series of stunning photographic works of other pieces being modelled by her teenage daughter, Sacha Thomas.

Christina’s interest in the ruff was sparked in 2007, when she created a garment for the Wearable Art Awards in New Zealand.

Since then, many of her works have been exhibited both nationally and internationally to high acclaim, including the Hand and Lock Embroidery Prize London in 2009, 2011 & 2017.

The ruff is a wide pleated collar and one of the most distinctive fashions of the late 15th and 16th centuries.

Over the course of time the ruff varied greatly in size and style, some as narrow as two-and-a-half centimetres or others as wide as 30cm. It was worn by both men and women but was only for the wealthy because it was expensive and time-consuming to care for.

It was often stiffened with starch or wire, and stood out like a wheel around the neck.

Christina’s neckpieces are accompanied in the exhibition by photos of her daughter Sacha, who was born with Albinism.

Sacha has a captivating and ethereal beauty that is the perfect accompaniment to these works, according to Christina.

“This process has allowed me to view my daughter through a new lens and led to a convergence of my role as both artist and mother. The neckpieces are transformed within the image by capturing an essence within my daughter that celebrates embracing unique individuality and beauty in its many forms,” she said.

Ruff is at Chrissie Cotter Gallery, Pidcock Street, Camperdown, 11 April-21 April, Thursday-Sunday, 11am-4pm.

Opening Wednesday, 10 April, 6-8pm

All photos by Christina Newberry www.christinanewberry.net Instagram: www.instagram.com/christinanewberry

For an interview with the artist, contact the Communication team.

For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath | Media and Communications Coordinator P: +61 2 9392 5334 | E: elizabeth.heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au