6th Tamworth Textile Triennial gets government backing
Tamworth Regional Gallery has welcomed the announcement that the Australian Government has awarded $121,128 through the Visions of Australia program to support the national tour of ‘Nature Machine: 6th Tamworth Textile Triennial’, extending the reach of one of Australia's most significant contemporary textile exhibitions.
Announced as part of Round 22 of the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program, the funding will support a national tour of the 6th Tamworth Textile Triennial, featuring works by 18 leading and emerging Australian textile artists. The exhibition will travel to 10 venues across New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, significantly expanding access to one of the nation's most important contemporary textile exhibitions.
The Visions of Australia program supports the development and touring of high-quality exhibitions, with a particular focus on improving access to arts and cultural experiences in regional and remote communities.
Curated by Blake Griffiths, ‘Nature Machine’ explores the evolving relationship between hand, body and machine, showcasing artists whose practices engage with environmental sustainability, craft traditions, material innovation and emerging technologies.
"Textiles have long been a meeting point between people, technology and the natural world. ‘Nature Machine’ celebrates artists who are expanding the possibilities of textile practice in the age of AI, drawing on inherited knowledge while embracing new ways of making. Together, these works demonstrate that textiles remain one of the most vital and relevant forms of contemporary artistic expression," said Griffiths.
"Selected artists have embraced the curatorial premise with remarkable enthusiasm, and it has been incredibly rewarding to watch the exhibition take shape.”
“The works in development demonstrate an exceptional level of ambition, experimentation and technical excellence, and I can't wait for audiences to experience the breadth and diversity of contemporary Australian textile practice today," Griffiths said.
The 6th Tamworth Textile Triennial will open at the Tamworth Regional Gallery on Friday 18 September 2026 until Sunday 22 November before it commences its national tour. The exhibition builds on a legacy that began with textile competitions in the 1960s and has evolved into Australia's most important platform for contemporary textile practice, helping sustain and celebrate the National Textile Collection.
Tamworth Regional Gallery Director, Bridget Guthrie, said the funding recognises the national significance of the Tamworth Textile Triennial and reinforces Tamworth's reputation as a centre for artistic excellence.
"The Tamworth Textile Triennial has a proud history and is regarded as Australia's premier showcase of contemporary textile practice. This funding ensures audiences well beyond our region can experience the extraordinary creativity and innovation that the exhibition represents."
"We are delighted that through the support of the Australian Government, these works and the conversations they inspire will reach audiences across multiple states and territories," Guthrie said.
For more information on the 6th Tamworth Textile Triennial, please go to the Gallery’s website: https://tamworthregionalgallery.com.au/6th-tamworth-textile-triennial
6th Tamworth Textile Triennial Touring Exhibition Details: