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Regional artist Melissa Spratt is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) with an acute sense of her surroundings.
Recognition of this tendency gave Spratt answers to questions she’d always had about herself and allowed her to explore the heightened sense of emotions and responses she experiences daily through a series of finger-knitted artworks.
Spratt’s process of finger-knitting provides her with a therapeutic practice that is both sensory and comforting. In using wool, Spratt’s process and artworks offer a contradiction of sorts. The conflicting relationship apparent in the fibre’s properties - wool can be soft or rough, warming or cooling, and can both irritate or soothe for those with sensitivities.
“The tactile nature of textile work is my preferred way to translate my thoughts and feelings," Spratt said.
"During COVID-19 and the year preceding, I found out that I identify as a Highly Sensitive Person. I guess I thought everyone was walking around seeing and feeling everything in similar ways to me, but as it turns out, being an HSP means that I am more aware, receptive and emotionally sensitive to my surroundings.”
By using long strands of finger-knitted woolen chains, Spratt shares her experience of being a Highly Sensitive Person by spelling out short statements and longer stream-of-consciousness style phrases in bold colours across her artworks. An act that shares a collection of intimate ponderings but also publicly conveys the flood of emotions and thoughts she endures as an HSP.
“I felt vulnerable and initially hesitated to share these works as I was still understanding this new place of knowledge I found myself in," she said.
"I thought I would be judged and not taken seriously, and sometimes I still do. All of my achievements and the encouraging feedback I’ve received convinced me there was an audience for this body of work. My new works explore my own inner contemplations, sensitivities and sentimentalities and are a reminder for all of us that being sensitive does not mean weak."
Tweed Regional Gallery Director Ingrid Hedgcock thanked Melissa Spratt for sharing her work: “It’s a great privilege to share Melissa’s work with our audiences. It is a deeply personal exhibition, and we are thankful for Melissa’s vulnerability and generous emotion.”
Melissa Spratt’s exhibition SENSITISED & SENTIMENTAL is on display at the Gallery until Sunday 17 November 2024. The exhibition is complemented by a catalogue with an extended essay, and a range of merchandise is available at the Gallery Shop.
The Gallery’s art-making activities during the September/October school holidays will be hosted by Melissa Spratt. Activities are suitable for young people aged 5 – 12 years and all participants must be accompanied by an adult.
Public Programs
Art Play
Wednesday 18 & Friday 20 September
Wednesday 2 & Friday 4 October
11 am – 1 pm | Free
Join exhibiting artist Melissa Spratt in the Gallery Foyer for a free drop-in artmaking activity in the school holidays. Suitable for young people 5 – 12 years. Family friendly activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No bookings required.
For further details, visit the Gallery’s website gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/whats-on
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