About me - Rene Corder EvansEducation :
1999 Fashion Design Diploma. – University College of the Fraser Valley - Including Independent Studies in Weaving, and Surface Design. 1996 Bachelor of Business Administration. Recent Fibre Activities and Instructing: 2016-2020 National Treasurer Creative Fibre New Zealand 2016-2020 Instructor at annual Creative Fibre New Zealand Festival/Education Events and Area sponsored workshops 2019 Instructor (Constructing a Felt Garment) Felt it Forward 2015 Instructor (The Complete Feltmaker) Maiwa Textile Symposium 2013-2015 Co-convener Creative Fibre National Exhibition and member of Festival 2015 committee 2004-2010 Instructor at annual Maiwa Textile Symposium 2004 Educational Leader – Convergence Denver 2001-2011 Textile Instructor (Weaving and Felt-making) University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) – Fashion Design Program 1999-2009 Co-producer of the UFV Graduating Fashion Show 1998-current Guest Workshop Instructor and Lecture for Fibre Guilds and workshop series 1997-2002 Convergence 2002 Vancouver – Exhibits Chair and Steering Committee Recent Fibre Exhibitions/Shows: 2019 Creative Fibre: 50th Anniversary – Fashion Runway, Nuno Felt Award, Endless Thread - Garment Award 2017 Creative Fibre: Entwine National Fashion Runway – Traditional Felt Award 2016 Creative Fibre: National Fashion Runway – Nuno Felt Award, Bernina Award 2015 Creative Fibre 2015: National Exhibition – Nuno Felt Award, Fashion Runway Show – Nuno Felt Award and the Creative Fibre Award 2014-2018 Slow Clothes – Vancouver 2014 Creative Fibre Tauranga – New Zealand – Guest Exhibitor 2013 Collections –Silk Weavers Gallery – Vancouver – Group Exhibit Creative Fibre National Exhibition - New Zealand 2010 International Hanji Fashion Flow Exhibition - Korea 2009 Jeonju Hanji Cultural Festival – Fibre, Naturally Exhibit and Fashion Show – Vancouver 2008 Natural Inspirations - –Silk Weavers Gallery – Vancouver – Group Exhibit 2005-2007 Natural Fibres – Salt Spring Island Canada – Fashion Show 2005 Connections: Silk and Wool – Silk Weavers Gallery – Vancouver Solo Exhibit 2003 Quaternion: 4 Felters 4 Techniques – Foxglove Gallery, Bowen Island Canada 2002-2007 Wearable Expressions - Palos Verdes Art Centre, California 2002/2003, 2005/2006, 2007/2008 Juried Exhibits 2002 First Place Award – HGA Convergence Fashion Show (co-designer Anne Hadziev) |
Bio – Artist Statement: Born and educated in New Zealand, I have always had a love for fine wools. But, it was not until I returned to weaving in 1995 that I developed a deep love and appreciation for the art of felt making, and as I had been sewing from an early age, it seems like a natural match to make clothing out of fine wool felt. In 1996 as I was finishing my Business Administration Degree, I was introduced to the Fashion Design Program at University of the Fraser Valley, Canada (UFV). I graduated with a Diploma of Fashion Design in 1999, and then went on to teach weaving for the Fashion Department from 2001 to 2012. I was dividing my time between creating one of a kind wearable art pieces, teaching weaving at the University level and my career as a business administrator, enjoying the challenges of all three. In 2012 I retired from both my business career and University teaching and now live in New Zealand and Canada creating wearable art garments, exhibiting and teaching. My pieces are held in private collections in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and USA and I have exhibited in Canada, Korea, New Zealand and the USA. As a felt artist I work mainly white on white and dye my felt yardage or garments afterwards using a painterly technique to either create subtle colour changes or bold dramatic colour statements. As a weaver I work to create texture and surface interest in an otherwise two-dimensional textile. Textiles, fashion; as a fibre artist I do not think of one without the other. I am drawn to constructing bustier based wearable art garments. I think the total impractically of my garments to everyday life allows for a greater level of creativity. |
