‘Universally Repaired’ was a community artwork co-created by multi-disciplinary artist Rachel Wood and members of the Boroondara community.
Part art installation, part museum artefact, ‘Universally Repaired’ was Rachel’s impression of the ozone layer, installed in the Explore and Create space at Hawthorn Arts Centre in October 2023. Made only from recycled materials, this large-scale work was a collection of smaller art pieces made by community members through workshops, social circles, and student classrooms.
Through a series of in-person workshops with artist Rachel Wood, participants learnt skills and techniques in mending, yarn-making, weaving and macrame to re-purpose found objects and discarded textiles to create the installation.
The creation and installation of the artwork invited the community to consider their role in the fast fashion industry and how everyone can be a positive force to ensure clothes have a second life and don’t end up in landfill. It highlighted fast fashion’s impact on our planet as the second-largest contributor to our carbon footprint, with devastating implications for our environment, including contributing to the hole in the ozone layer.
About the artist
Rachel Wood (AKA Wunder Weave) is a Melbourne based multi-disciplinary artist passionate about creating meaningful art with a purpose. With a background in textiles and fashion, Wood is an influential figure in the art of weaving, and has diverse experience spanning screen printing, zero waste fashion design, and commercial artworks.
For more information on Rachel and her art, follow Rachel on her Instagram account @wunder_weave