By Parker McKenzie
An exhibition featuring dolls created by three different artists in three different styles will be held at Millers Homestead from Tuesday 24 January.
The Art of the Doll features the work of Jenny Cody, Shirley Dougan and Merryn Griffiths and features creations made from paper mache, polymer clay, textiles, mixed media and crotcheted yarn.
Ms Griffiths said she has been creating crotcheting dolls for around three years, having only started the technique five years ago.
“My daughter taught herself to crotchet and she was pumping out the most extraordinary kinds of cushions and blankets with amazing textures,” she said.
“I came across a pattern that I fell in love with and wanted it for myself and asked if she could make it for me, unfortunately, because she had so many projects at the time she said no, but I can show you and teach you how to.”
Ms Griffiths’ work focuses on fantastical creatures like fairies, unicorns and even Cthulhu, the fictional cosmic entity featured in the writings of H.P. Lovecraft.
Ms Dougan said doll-making has been a large part of her life, and she has taught it in Australia, New Zealand and America.
“I had a bit of a name in the doll world there for a while,” she said.
“When I gave my talk at Millers during my previous exhibition, I just said it was an important part of my life and a staff member said can we do an exhibition with those? She had these other two people as well.”
A meet the Artists event will be held at the Homestead on Thursday 16 March from 5 to 7pm.
Ms Griffiths said Millers’ Homestead is a building that she never noticed, despite living in Boronia for a decade.
“When I walked up the pathway and into the entrance, I was just in awe of the place,” she said.
“Seeing a beautiful period piece home that’s been so well preserved alongside the art that will be there with these dolls, it brings out the inner child.”
The exhibition closes 30 March, and can be viewed from 9.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Millers’ Homestead is located at the corner of Dorrigo Drive and Melrose Court, Boronia and is one of three historic homesteads owned by Knox City Council. Eastern Region Libraries currently has a licensing agreement to run cultural, artistic and musical exhibitions, events and performances at the homestead.
