This course introduces students to basic techniques for making textiles-based images, objects and surfaces in a contemporary art context. Set projects enable experimentation and lead to proficiency in topic specific material processes. Each set project also provides an access point towards understanding how textiles entangle histories, geographies, trade, culture and science. Through seminars, guided research and critique students will begin to connect their own studio investigations and outcomes with relevant contemporary textiles, along with broader art-related, theory and practice. Work health and safety instruction is an integral component of this course.
Students may complete this course twice for a maximum credit value of 12 units, provided they enrol in a different topic in each instance/semester. Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.
Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Exploring Pattern: repeat printing and fabric assemblage
Patterns are fundamental to how we communicate, interpret, and fabricate. In other words, how we understand the world and express ourselves within it. The cultural and creative significance of pattern will be explored through hands-on studio learning, connecting textile practices and histories to broader themes in contemporary art. This course introduces students to printing on cloth and fabric assemblage techniques, such as quilting. Through set projects, lectures and critiques, students will gain key skills in process-based learning, textiles techniques, and contextualising creative enquiry.
- Woven Worlds: interlaced structures and surfaces
This course introduces students to the material and conceptual processes of weaving. In tandem with learning different techniques, students will explore the significant role that weaving plays as cultural knowledge, technological code, and a contemporary art medium. Set projects, lectures, and critiques will support students as they come to understand the construction and systems of the world through weaving and begin to situate contemporary textiles in larger cultural and historical narratives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and use basic techniques and principles appropriate to textiles;
- employ safe and professional studio work processes using the specialised equipment;
- explore and evaluate the creative possibilities of materials and techniques in response to set projects; and
- develop works that respond to contemporary textile theories and art practices.
Other Information
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.
This course will have a Materials Fee.
At the ANU School of Art & Design, each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art & Design is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. The Materials Fee is payable for the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art & Design, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant. The exact cost of the Materials Fee will be updated in the Class Summary for each semester in which the course is offered. The full SOAD policy can be read here: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees
Indicative Assessment
- Symposium Presentation (20) [LO 1,3,4]
- Competency Folio (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Group Project (20) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Independent Project (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks: lectures, tutorials, critiques and supervised studio practice; and
b) 82 hours of independent studio practice, reading, writing and active research engagement (gallery visits, scoping sites, public observation etc.)
Prescribed Texts
As listed on Canvas
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring Pattern: repeat printing and fabric asse | ||||||
| 10063 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |