ONE HUNDRED years ago, women were knitting for World War 1 soldiers. They may not have been able to serve in the military, but women volunteered thousands of hours to support the war effort.
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Sydney artist, Grace Cossington Smith painted a portrait of her sister Madge, knitting for the troops, that captured one of the key contributions of women.
To celebrate the centenary of her iconic work, The Sock Knitter, women are invited to participate in the creative workshop, Knitting for the Future.
The project is a collaboration between Wauchope Community Arts Council and Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group. Energetic arts administrator, teacher and artist, Krissa Wilkinson, is coordinating the project with her customary creative flair.
“We’re asking people to be involved by donating wool or by knitting scarves, shawls and socks for people in Syria who have been displaced by war,” Krissa explained.
“Women artists are also being invited to participate by painting portraits of the knitters.”
The concept of knitting warm winter items to be sent to Syrian refugee camps has been met with enthusiasm.
“People realise there are hundreds of thousands of people who do not have the shelter or warm clothes needed in the harsh winter”, Krissa said.
During Refugee Week in June, the knitted items will be displayed and portraits will be painted in a series of installations across the Port Macquarie Hastings region.
For more information or to be part of the project go to wauchopearts.org.au, the Mid North Coast Refugee Support Group Facebook page or email mncrefsup@gmail.com.
Acclaimed artwork
GRACE Cossington Smith’s The Sock Knitter, has been acclaimed as the first post-impressionist painting to be exhibited in Australia. The Art Gallery of NSW’s website praises the work’s immense influence and describes the way in which it challenged many of the artistic traditions of the time, comparing the flattened technique to the work of painters such as Cézanne, Matisse and van Gogh.
Distinctly modern in its outlook, The Sock Knitter also counterpoints the masculine heroism in wartime by focusing instead on the quiet steady efforts of women at home.
Despite her ground-breaking style and brilliant works, Grace Cossington Smith was never feted for her talent. Her paintings of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as it was being built are now considered some of Australia’s best modernist paintings.
The Sock Knitter, 1915
Oil on canvas 61.6cm (h) x 50.7cm (w)
Purchased Art Gallery of NSW 1960
