Ruth Halbert

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Biography

I was born and raised in the Western Australian wheatbelt, on Wiilman Boodja, where hand-making with natural materials was part of my 70s childhood. My family’s religious practice and the feminist and social justice politics of my teens also influence my art practice. I began by making for personal use, which then opened a connection to the world-wide community of makers and to the historic legacy of textile crafts. Following a career in science I undertook art studies at Edith Cowan University. Working from an ArtSource studio in Perth I showed in group exhibitions and undertook residencies in rural WA and Sweden. Since moving to Pibbulmun Boodja on the south coast I have had solo and collaborative exhibitions in the South West, Great Southern and Perth. My work is in several local government collections. I am a member of the Butter Factory Studios Collective in Denmark.

Solo Exhibitions

2020
Sound Cloth
Scotsdale Hall, Denmark WA, in collaboration with sound artist Campbell Creswick

2018
Castaway + Witness
The Sanctuary, Denmark, WA

2017
Castaway
Paper Mountain, Northbridge, WA

2013
To the Station
Exhibition from Artist in Residence at Beverley Station Art Gallery, Beverley, WA

Group Exhibitions

2022
South West Art Now 2022
Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, curated by Dr Diana McGirr

2021
Oblivion
Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, with Elisa Markes-Young, Katharina Meister and Christopher Young

2021
HERENOW21
There Is! gallery, Northbridge, WA, curated by Rose Barton

2021
Rare Craft
Gallery 152 York, WA

2021
Then & Now
Curator of survey show of Albany Weavers, Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany, WA

2021
Legacy
Collie Art Gallery, WA, curated with Jen Mitchell

2020
Hanging by a Thread
Holmes a Court Gallery @ no. 10, West Perth, WA

2019
Fragmented Memories
Spectrum Project Space, Edith Cowan University, Perth WA. In collaboration with Jane Ziemons, curated by Danielle Fusco.

2018
Stations of the Cross
Wesley Uniting Church, Perth, WA. Curated by Claire Bushby

2018
Beyond the Seam
Contemporary Art Space Mandurah, Mandurah, WA. Curated by Dr Martien van Zuilen.

2018
amity
Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany, WA in collaboration with Emily Murch.

2016
Reconfigure
Harvison Gallery, Perth, WA, with Deb Oakley and Kirsten Biven

2014
What is Textile?
Kalopsia Collective, Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, UK

2012
Between 2 Worlds
Kulcha Multicultural Art Space, Fremantle, WA, with Alberdina Plug and Amal Al Babyli

2011
nexus
Heathcote Museum and Gallery, Applecross, WA, with Hilary Buckland, Alberdina Plug, Amal Al Babyli and Julie Jackman.

Awards

2011
303LOWE Encouragement Award
Awarded for best graduate work, Edith Cowan University, WA.

Collections

City of Melville, WA.

City of Bunbury, WA

Galleries

Butter Factory Studios, Denmark WA

Residencies

2014
Artist in Residence
Four weeks at Rud AIR, Laxarby, Dalsland, Sweden.

2013
Artist in Residence
Three weeks at Beverley Station Art Gallery, Beverley, WA.

Ruth Halbert
Fibre textiles, Installation art, Weaving

Artist Statement

I use the liveliness of thread and cloth to draw audiences into engaging with my work: to reveal what wants to stay hidden; to celebrate both what is unique and universal. Using textiles to create an immersive experience, I respond to specific locations and to political or social events reverberating today, including investigating my own colonial history.