CREATIVE COLLECTION: THE ARTIST'S CODE

WEAVING CONCEALED MESSAGES INTO HER BEADED TAPESTRIES, CAMILLE LADDAWAN SHARES STORIES WITH THE WORLD

- HARRIET SIM

AT A GLANCE

Who: Camille Laddawan, Melbourne-based beading artist. What she does: Translates ideas and stories into beautiful beaded tapestries. Where: Melbourne, Vic. Why she does it: “I enjoy the simple premise of beading: all you need is a loom, needle, thread and beads. But within that framework, there is flexibility, freedom and creativity,” says Camille. Visit: camilleladdawan.com. Follow: @camilleladdawan

OPPOSITE: Camille pictured here with Ru, her kelpie, in her north-facing studio. TOP LEFT: ‘After Nicholson’ is a work inspired by British abstract artist Ben Nicholson. TOP RIGHT: Camille’s loom and tools wait patiently.

BOTTOM LEFT: Camille plans out the mathematical side of the work in her notebook. BOTTOM MIDDLE: Camille’s richly coloured beads gleam like exotic spices. BOTTOM RIGHT: ‘EJM’ is a work that gets its title from Camille’s grandmother’s initials. The metal beads are in Tone Code and reference letters, poems and papers from Camille’s grandmother, who was a journalist.