NEW DIMENSIONS

Australian artist Trevor Smith shares with us the ideas behind his 3D crochet pieces, which combine retro appeal and humour to make a unique collection of ‘objets d’art’

- Lucy Evans

When is the art of crochet elevated to an actual work of art? Although our crafts may seem like mini-masterpieces to us, what makes them worthy of exhibitions or to be sold as art pieces? Wherever your thoughts, you can safely put Trevor Smith in the ‘professional artist’ category. Represented by a gallery and exhibiting since his art student days, Trevor has collectors from around the world who are drawn to his quirky pieces – 3D crochet sculptures of characters and objects which often have a retro flavour.

Asked to describe his work Trevor has a simple and straightforward answer, “colourful, nostalgic and humorous.” From 50s-style food platters to terrarium plants and from radios to hairdryers – Trevor is highly skilled in bringing to life unexpected objects using crochet. Each of his pieces are bursting with personality – and there’s something about the precision with which each object is made that adds to their charm.

3D DIRECTION

“My mother Jean Smith was a talented craftsperson, and I enjoyed doing what she was doing. She taught me to crochet when I was about seven years old. So I’ve been crocheting on and off for over 50 years,” explains Trevor. “I started crocheting in 3D when I was involved in a Regional Arts Victoria community yarn bombing project in 2009. Knitters, crocheters and weavers created site-specific works or covers for structures such as rubbish bins and picnic tables in the area around a swimming hole in the small town of Panmure. I made a nest and bird that was displayed in a tree, and water lilies that floated in the water.”