Tell us about yourself, how would you describe your work?
I don’t like to think too much about it, I just like to make things. My work is probably best described as organic, and I don’t mean that in a trendy sense, it is just developed in a fairly organic way. No rhyme or reason behind it necessarily.
Who or what inspires you to create?
Quite simply, my inspiration is drawn from my need to make things. Ever since I was a little girl I have been driven to make things. I am not sure why, perhaps it is genetic or just that it is something that has always made me happy and content. I also have an innate love of beautiful things so I guess it is only natural that I keep creating beautiful objects that look lovely or can make the wearer look lovely.
Where was your inspiration drawn for this work? The simple nature of crochet enables me to build a piece, stitch by stitch without necessarily knowing where I will end up. And by adding pearls into the piece, this allows me to put things in order, to complete the piece with perfect placements that create definition and contrast. These pieces are more about the making of the object, a reflection about the world we live in and a method I have to processing information and emotions in an orderly fashion. But I also must say that I have a true love for beautiful objects.
What are your favourite art related websites or blogs?
What materials do you like to work with?
I predominantly work with textiles and traditional materials such as beads and buttons etc. I use these materials due to an influence from my Mum and Grandmother but also these materials readily available, and for their domesticity in which they can be collected and reused. I believe in the importance of sustainable living, therefore reusing materials is important to me. Fresh water pearls and shell buttons whilst beautiful also give me a strong connection to the island where I grew up and connect me with my memories of hours spent collecting shells.
Briony Vickery studied Fashion Design at Douglas Mawson Institute of TAFE before proceeding to study visual arts at the South Australian School of Art in 2003. During this time, Briony exhibited at the annual ‘Designing Futures’ Fashion Industry Parade where she received an Award for Excellence. In 2003, she was a finalist in the Textile Institute Design Award and received the George Gross and Harry Who Design Achievement Award.
