This exhibition, as suggested by the title, brings together the ideas of creative process and relationship
Robyn describes herself as a frustrated painter; her soft dolls are an offshoot of her sculptural clay figure work and a love of portraiture. She says they are ‘what happens’ instead of painting – “its about doing what you can, not what you want.” Her recent fascination with drawing, however, would seem to belie this, although she describes this practice also as building and very much in process; a physical process , still with 3-D aspects… “I don’t know what I’m doing”, she says. “ Its just about doing the next step as it arrives.”
We have seen this considerably understated outline of her practice also in her highly experienced and successful eco-dyeing, felt making, stitching and ceramics.
My work is evoked by themes, imagery and feelings from the inner life, that require expression or a response. My approach is playful, and experimental, and I enjoy working with slightly unexpected materials; old sailcloth, sliced up tins, paper packaging… The relationship with these chosen materials is also an important part of the making process. I experience my art practice as non-linear and highly intuitive.
Together, we share a deep love of textiles and an aesthetic that whispers of the ‘other’ – other realms, other realities, dreams, liminal spaces. are friends who make. We are Making Friends.
Sally Tennent-Brown
February 2026, Hauraki House, Coromandel