The exhibition ‘Floating Life: Contemporary Aboriginal Fibre Art’ opened on August 1st 2009.  It highlighted the use of fiber within the Aboriginal culture with both traditional objects and contemporary pieces commissioned specifically for the Gallery.  Woven fiber pieces, three-dimensional works with connections to the objects, and paintings illustrating processes and stitches used were all included in the exhibition.

During the month and a half leading up to the opening, I helped prepare the art, create mounts, and install the objects.  Spirit figures, ceremonial poles, dance objects, body adornment, and useful nets and traps were just some of the over 300 objects that were displayed in ‘Floating Life.’  I was able to examine many of these objects, the majority of which I had never had experience with before.  I attached mounts to many fiber bags and baskets, fish traps, and mats.  The majority of the objects had coated metal mounts that were designed specifically for each piece, tied on with appropriately colored cotton thread.  If the object was fragile or friable, the thread was laced through thin plastic tubing before being tied.  Liz Wild and I installed over 80 ceremonial dancing poles in the exhibition gallery.  I also completed several minor treatments on objects, like paint and bark consolidation.