Biographical Resume
Louise Wells completed a 5 year Specialist Art program at Balcatta SHS, and then gained an Associate Diploma in Textiles at Western Australian Institute of Technology (now Curtin University) in 1983. This was followed by a traineeship with Kate Weedon-Jones at Fremantle Arts Centre, majoring in the production of repeat design screen printed lengths. At this time Louise, along with six other recent WAIT graduates, set up a group studio space (Northfolk Studios) in North Perth. Here she started designing and selling her own range of clothing and screen printed items.
Louise exhibited in several group exhibitions, culminating in a solo exhibition in Albany, WA in 1987. She also taught textiles to both adults and children in various school and community programs during this time. Later she worked in an Occupational Therapy outpatient clinic where she taught a variety of Arts, Crafts and Life Skills programs.
A long break from a full-time textile practice to raise her 3 children allowed Louise to learn and explore many areas of textile interest for pure enjoyment. Her current art practice reflects this development and life experience. Over the past twelve years she has exhibited in numerous exhibitions and taught many workshops and programs. Her work is held in both public and private collections
Curriculum Vitae
Formal Education:
1984 – 1985 Traineeship at Fremantle Art Centre with Kate Weedon-Jones
1983 Associate Diploma, Textiles, WAIT (Western Australian Institute of Technology, Now Curtin University)
Juried Exhibitions (Australia)
2019 Sculptures on the Scarp, Darlington Arts Festival, Darlington.
2019 City of Stirling Art Awards
2019 Stitched and Bound 2019, Zig Zag Gallery, Kalamunda & Lake Grace Regional Art Space
2019 Art Quilt Australia 2019: National Wool Museum, Geelong, Victoria
2019 Cultura Diffusa, Como Italy
2019 International Fiber Arts IX, Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Sebastopol, CA USA
2019 Minnawarra Art Awards, Armadale WA
2018 Wearable Art Mandurah (WAM) Finalist
2018 Petite Miniature Textiles : Wangaratta Art Gallery, Victoria
2018 Art Quilt Australia 2017: Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, Victoria
2017 Art Quilt Australia 2017: Queen Victoria Art Gallery, Launceston, Tasmania
2017 Wearable Art Mandurah (WAM) Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery, Mandurah
2017 Stitched and Bound, Zig Zag Gallery Kalamunda WA
2017 Wearable Art Mandurah (WAM) Winner, Avant-Garde Category
2016 Australia Wide 5, OZ Quilt Network (Touring exhibition Australia & USA)
2016 twentyONE+ presented by WAFTA, Spectrum Project Space, Mt Lawley WA
2016 Common Threads Wearable Art Awards – Finalist
2015 Art Quilt Australia 2015: National Wool Museum, Geelong, Victoria
2014 Stitched and Bound – Back to the Razors Edge, Heathcote Gallery, Applecross WA
2014 Common Threads Wearable Art Awards – Finalist
2012 Stitched and Bound, Heathcote Gallery, Applecross WA
Solo Exhibitions
2018 Of Our Time – Ordinary Lives, Midland Junction Arts Centre.
2014 Belles, Collaborative exhibition with Josh Wells, Hyde Park, WA
1987 Albany, Western Australia
Group Exhibitions (Australia)
2019 Galvanise, Art Source Salon, Fremantle WA
2018 Worn Out Worn Art, Midland Junction Arts Centre, WA
2018 Worn Art Revamped, Theatre Kimberley, Broome – Overall Runner Up
2017 City of Stirling Art Awards – Highly Commended
2017 Altered States, Perth Town Hall WA
2016 Worn Art Revamped, Theatre Kimberley, Broome – Category winner
2016 Brooching the Subject, Timeless Textiles Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
2016 Common Threads Wearable Art Exhibition, CASM Mandurah WA
2016 Memory and Commemoration, WAFTA. Lake Grace & Busselton
2015 Common Threads Wearable Art Exhibition, CASM Mandurah WA
2014 Hidden Revealed Transformed, Showcase Gallery, Perth WA
2014 WAFTA Biennale Exhibition, Geraldton, WA
2014 Common Threads Wearable Art Exhibition, CASM Mandurah WA
2013 Mysterium, Gallery Central, Perth WA
2012-18 Mt Lawley SHS Art Auctions
2012 Perth College Art Show
2011 InTension, Moores Building, Fremantle WA
2009 Naturally, Moores Building, Fremantle WA
Professional Experience
2017 [email protected] 2018 program
2017 -18 Regular Columnist for Down Under Textiles
2017 Artist Statement Generator workshop for WAFTA
2017 Textile Toolbox Printing Techniques workshop for WAFTA
2017 Wearable Art Presentation and workshop for WASG
2016 Feature Article for Down Under Textiles published Dec 2016 Issue 26
2015 Hidden Revealed Transformed, How to Hold an Exhibition, presentation to WAFTA
2015 Wardrobe Assistant Common Threads showcase
2014 Colour Society of Australia National Conference, Perth WA, Conference Presenter
Collections
City of Stirling Art Collection
Melville City Council Textile Collection
Alannah MacTiernan MP
Various Private collections
Awards
2018 Worn Art Revamped, Theatre Kimberley, Broome – Overall Runner Up
2017 City of Stirling Art Awards, Highly Commended
2017 Wearable Art Mandurah (WAM) Winner, Avant-Garde Category
2016 Worn Art Revamped, Theatre Kimberley, Broome – Category winner