Historical information

The TAMA Collection comprises an extensive survey of contemporary (post-1970s) textile and fibre art practices in Australia with key international influences represented from time to time, such as Marcel Marois’ Mutation - Time: Blue, Grey, White, Red.

Canadian artist Marcel Marois began his career at the height of a period of innovation and dynamic growth in tapestry weaving in the 1970s. Marois is known for his references to pixilated photographic imagery, particularly as seen in newspapers; his weaving recreates the detail of photographic blur.

These four tapestries were acquired to commemorate the major contribution of the Gallery’s inaugural director, the late Pamela Gullifer AM, towards the establishment and development of Ararat Gallery in the early 1970s. An extensive and diligent fundraising campaign was undertaken by the local community between 1999 and 2002, challenged by the Canadian dollar strengthening relative to the Australian dollar in that period.

Marois’ imagery references political, environmental and social events of his time and location. In this set of woven panels the artist refers to natural elements – air (blue); water (grey); earth (white) and fire (red).