An Australian in Tokyo 2011-2014
The Woven Tale
Rachael Binnie was born in Australia and received her degree in Psychology from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia before studying Interior Design and Decoration at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia.
Rachael and her husband moved to Tokyo for three years and during this time she explored the many wonderful arts and crafts including textiles, pottery, sashiko stitching, indigo dying and washi paper art.
‘I love kimono and wanted to find a way to creatively display them, as when one is hung straight, only one side can be appreciated.
I started to investigate whether it would be acceptable to use kimonos for art, and I happily learned that in days past, damaged kimonos were salvaged and the most beautifully decorated panels were used for mirror and musical instrument covers.
Rachael gave in to the touristy activity of dressing in a
kimono prior to leaving Japan in 2014 (and loved it!)
Exhaustive searches of second hand kimono stores and weekly shrine sales, have enabled me to find fabulous kimono with beautiful colours and designs. I carefully take apart each hand-sewn silk kimono, iron out the creases and folds, and layout the pieces to create my art. Often one or both of the sleeves with kamon (family crest) are incorporated in the piece.
Additionally, I use obi (the wide belt worn with a kimono), complimentary fabrics from other kimono and adornments such as the koshihimo (woven ribbons used to secure the obi in place). The completed piece is stretched over a custom-made frame which is lined with cotton fabric to protect the silk from the timber.’
A hint of perfume, a scuff on a hem … each kimono has traveled a different journey.
Rachael hopes that viewers enjoy her kimono art as much as she enjoys breathing new life into these beautiful textiles by bringing them out of the dark boxes and cupboards where they were hiding.
Rachael’s art sold to many expats living in Japan and now hangs in their homes all over the world including Edinburgh, Canada, Whistler, Switzerland and Geelong.
She exhibited at the ANA Intercontinental Hotel, Tokyo for three months in 2014.
Rachael and her husband live in Buxton and Melbourne and she welcomes enquiries for commissions as she has an extensive collection of kimonos.