Vale Liz Williamson (1949-2024)
Liz Williamson (1949-2024) was a revered Australian craftsperson. Since she began weaving in the 1970s, Liz dedicated herself to textiles as a creative medium. Her beautifully textured scarfs were worn proudly as an icon of Australian craft. Her exhibition work reflected a deep commitment to the power of weaving as an expression of our cultural identity. This was realised most recently in her epic Weaving Eucalyptus Project (2020) which toured Australia.
Image: Liz Williamson weaving on Sheridan loom, 1987. Photo: Chris Shain. Image above: Liz Williamson in her studio, Sydney Craft Week 2023. Photo: Amy Piddington.
Besides her own work, Liz was a prolific teacher and generous mentor. In 1997, she established textiles at the College of Fine Arts UNSW where she taught until 2020. She was also tireless in travelling around Australia and giving workshops, especially at her beloved Sturt Gallery & Studios. Beyond all this, she was a proud champion of Australian crafts, which she demonstrated when she was elected President of the World Crafts Council – Australia in 2022. In 2007, the Australian Design Centre designated Liz as an Australian Living Treasure and in 2023 she was selected for the World Crafts Council Craft Master Award.
Text by Kevin Murray of Garland Magazine.
Besides her own work, Liz was a prolific teacher and generous mentor. In 1997, she established textiles at the College of Fine Arts UNSW where she taught until 2020. She was also tireless in travelling around Australia and giving workshops, especially at her beloved Sturt Gallery & Studios. Beyond all this, she was a proud champion of Australian crafts, which she demonstrated when she was elected President of the World Crafts Council – Australia in 2022. In 2007, the Australian Design Centre designated Liz as an Australian Living Treasure and in 2023 she was selected for the World Crafts Council Craft Master Award.
Text by Kevin Murray of Garland Magazine.