Tuesday 17 January 2012

Anne Barclay, Mother of the Smiley Momos

Anne has come to making these dolls in an around about way. She was originally collecting fabric scraps of mohair to make a quilt out of them but found them unsuitable for this purpose. As a knitter she had a doll pattern in the archives that she liked, and thought instead of knitting a doll, why not adapt the idea and construct a doll out of fabric?  And so the Smiley Momos were born. Every doll and smile is different, every little character assumes a personality as they are carefully stitched together.

As well as her dolls, she constucts collage assemblages and at present is knitting a beautiful 'cobweb' of a scarf in fine 2 ply Italian grey angora (below) that is breathtaking!
  



Anne's Momo Story

"Once upon a time there was a little grey haired lady who collected bits and pieces of mohair.
One day she said to herself, 'what will I do with all this mohair?'
She decided to make little people with big happy smiles, hoping that they would bring smiles and happy thoughts to young and old and in the middle human beings.
Smiley Momos were born.
Since that day they have been adopted by babies and toddlers, children of all ages, grumpy 60 year old blokes, 90 year old grandmas, well people and unwell people and every one inbetween.
Momos have been posted across the seven seas and one, like Paddington, was lost at Flinders Street station. I'm certain s/he was adopted into a good home.When the little old lady sews the red smile on, every momo takes on its very own character and personality, and she thinks of Guisseppe, Pinnochio's grandfather, in his workshop.

Soft and cuddly smiley momos are guaranteed to wish you good morning, kiss you good night and keep you smiling all day long."




What inspires you?

Curiousity, affection and kindness
What drives you to produce what you do?

Colour, pattern and smiles.


COLOUR  Detail of Anne's shopping basket.


How would you describe your creative process?

Serendipitious
What handmade item do you cherish most, why, significance, story?

A pair of assymetrical jade and gold earrings handcrafted by a Vietnamese refugee in the early 1980s. (He was not permitted to practise as a jeweller in Australia.


Besides your creative work, what else do you do, and like doing?

Walking, listening to birdsong.

I also dabble with collage and pastels and am a published poet in various literary journals and anthologies.


Poetry reading at Portarlington Pub 2006
Which artist, writer, designer or craftsperson (living or dead) do you admire?
 Henri Matisse, artist; John Berger, writer.

What was the last book/magazine that you purchased?

I am presently reading Paul Keating's 'After words' and loving it.



Anne's Collage Artwork


What can make your day?
The antics of sparrows.









What is a favourite quote or saying?
'Each pine at dusk
lodges the bird
of its voice
perpendicular and still
the forest
indifferent to history
tearless as stone
repeats
in tremulous excitement
the ancient story
of the sun going down.'

from 'And our faces, my heart, brief as photos', by John Berger

Annes "Momo Dog" Edith on her Alpaca Rug

Anne's Smiley Momos can be found at ME, Hobson Street, Queenscliff, Tussock, Point Lonsdale, 135 Gallery and at the QUARC Market, Point Lonsdale, Victoria



She can be contacted on mobile 0418335714

No comments:

Post a Comment