Leah Vlatko is a textile artist and educator living on Amangu country (Geraldton, WA). Her work plays with traditional understandings of 'craft' and incorporates crochet, embroidery, weaving, and community practice. Themes of native flora, considerations of colour, and connection to place are significant in her work.
Statement
I am a textile artist and educator who has been living and working in Jambinu (Geraldton) on Amangu country for over two years. I was born on Wongatha country (Coolgardie) and regional WA has always been important to me.
Career highlights include:
- receiving the Bowman-Bright Mid West Art Award (2021);
- undertaking a four-week residency with Vancouver Arts Centre in (2019); and
- inclusion in the Fremantle 25Under25 (2019)
My work plays with traditional understandings of 'craft' and incorporates crochet, embroidery, weaving, and community practice. I first began crocheting over 15 years ago, learning from my Nana, and this practice has been a source of relaxation and creativity for me.
Themes of native flora, considerations of colour, and connection to place are significant in my work. For example, some of my recent work incorporates crocheting with wire, creating delicate pieces in gold hues. This practice started on Menang Noongar country in Albany, where I explored the concept of Banksias with artist Ash Frost in a residency at Vancouver Arts Centre (2019). Although we experimented with a variety of mediums, three dimensional sculptural work in crochet was the most challenging, and most interesting to me. The result of these continued experimentations was a piece I titled ‘Study in Banksia’, which was the recipient of the Bowman-Bright Mid West Art Award (2021).
Following on from this, I spent 6 weeks on Pibelmen country (2022), living in Northcliffe when my partner’s work took us there over summer. I became fascinated by the fungi growing in the area, had the idea to try crocheting these intricate organic shapes while hiking sections of the Bibbulmun track. Although I was able to create some small samples, my intention is to fully flesh out the concept and create a series of work inspired by the fungi abounding in the Mid West.
I am passionate about social justice and equality, and use my art to bring together the community and support causes close to my heart. For example, in 2019 I coordinated a community arts event called Canine Couture. This event showcased the work of 10 local artists through a dog fashion parade, where the works of art were in the form of dog coats. The event sold out and the proceeds went to the Shenton Park Dog Refuge.
Alongside my artistic practice, I am an educator with a Master’s Degree in Secondary Teaching (Professional Practice) and have nearly 3 years’ experience working in a regional school. Working full time as a Humanities and Social Sciences High School teacher has allowed me to work closely with youth. My goal is to empower students to reach their full potential.
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