Country Always

Caring for Country

A Corner of the Empire

The Garden Palace

The Holding Pen

The Agricultural Hall

Regional Networks

Across New South Wales

A Museum of Doing

Technological Museum

Expanding Stories

Evolution of the Castle Hill site from botanical research station to Museum Discovery Centre

Transforming the Tramsheds

Powerhouse Stage 1 and the Harwood Building

A Symbol in Time

Sydney Observatory

Ongoing Transformations

Powerhouse Ultimo

Applied Arts and Sciences

Defining the terms in the 21st century

Powerhouse Renewal

A transformative renewal program across four sites

We Rise

Blak Powerhouse

Powerhouse-1 Mission Launch to the ISS

An initiative of the Powerhouse: Future Space program

2024

Exoskeleton

Powerhouse Parramatta

Parramatta

2023

Program

Thread

Name: Thread
Start: 2023-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-24T06:00:00.000Z
Location: Material Labs

Ended 24 Sept 2023

Material Labs

Thread weaves a new narrative for contemporary textile and sustainable design across the Asia-Pacific. Curated by designer Margaret Hwang and driven by transparency and curiosity, Thread showcases experimental biomaterials combined with commercially produced recycled and natural textiles and materials from suppliers, designers and artisans across the region.

The exhibition includes two large-scale installations designed in collaboration with multidisciplinary design studio Cave Urban and fabricated from locally harvested bamboo. It highlights innovative, contemporary textiles and materials, including mushroom leather from Indonesia, woven silk from China, upcycled textile waste from Thailand, recycled newspaper stands from Korea, coffee yarn and pineapple leather from the Philippines, rush grass from Taiwan, organic fibres from India and materials fabricated from recycled water bottles, oyster shells and fishing nets.

Thread features a bespoke installation by designer Toyokazu Ono from Yotsume Dye House in southern Japan and AI generated silk textile designs by Hangzhou Silk Elegance from China. It also includes process material from Korean artist Young Eun Kim who has dedicated nine years to mastering the art of hanbok making, using natural upcycled materials such as hemp and silk.

Exhibitors

Margaret Hwang is a Sydney-based designer and co-founder of Mosssy – a platform to support a select network of climate-conscious suppliers, manufacturers and artisans from the Asia pacific region, many of whom are looking to preserve cultural traditions and craftsmanship while exploring contemporary ethical and sustainable alternatives.

Cave Urban was formed in 2010 to investigate vernacular bamboo lightweight structures and their relevance to contemporary design. What began as a means for research has developed into a studio that combines art and architecture.