Naarm Textile Biennale – Social Fabric
Artist Eligibility
Entry is open to all Victorian practicing artists working in textile media.
By submitting to participate in this exhibition, successful applicants agree to the following:
- – Artwork must be complete, ready for installation and delivered between 10am – 11am Monday 29 September 2025 to FortyFiveDownstairs Gallery, 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne.
- – Participation in social media promotion of exhibition
- – To collect artwork on Sunday 26 October 2025 between 10am and 11am from FortyFiveDownstairs Gallery, 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne or courier payment will be requested
Entry Requirements:
- – Two artworks per applicant are allowed
- – Entries must be original work.
- – All work must be primarily textile and executed in a textile technique.
- – Work must be original in concept and design.
- – Entries should not exceed 2 metres in any single dimension.
- – Artists must live and/or work in Victoria, Australia to enter.
Artist Bio & CV:
- – Your bio telling a brief story of your art and career to include in the catalogue with your work – this is not a CV! It should be written in the third person telling your story – your successes, the why and how. (max 200 words).
- – Two Artist Statements are required:
- 1. Full Artist Statement (max 200 words) needs to be written in the third person. This statement should include an explanation of the artwork and the art making processes. This statement will be included in the catalogue
- 2. Short Artist Statement (max 50 words) again written in the third person. The short statement will be displayed alongside you work as part of the exhibition. Statements longer than 50 words will be cut at the 50 word count so may not make sense if you write more.
Entry Fee:
A fee – AU$30.00 non-refundable per entry (+ $0.60 transaction cost), with two entries per person allowed. Fee/s must be paid at the time of application
Participation Fee: None required
Application:
- – Application will be done online via Naarm Textile Collective
- – Artists may submit up to two entries (an entry can be multiple pieces eg. a triptych or multicomponent work under one title.)
- – Entries can not exceed 2 metres in any single dimension.
- – Each entry must be represented by two images: One a full view and one a detail. Works entered, as a multicomponent must be represented by three images: One full view and two detail images.
Images:
Please title images with the following format:
“first name surname_Title.jpg”
“first name surname_Title_detail.jpg”
PLEASE NOTE: Images not titled correctly will not be viewed.
For each work submitted, artists must provide a brief description including dimensions, materials, and techniques.
Photographing your work:
Each entry should be represented by clearly focused, well-lit images on a neutral background that accurately reflects the work submitted. Colour must represent the piece accurately. These images will be used for the catalogue so the quality is important to present your work at its best.
Work exhibited in a frame must include the frame in the digital image. Work framed under glass should be photographed without glass but noted that it will be displayed with glass.
Digital submission Specifications:
IMAGE: JPEG or JPG only, up to 5MB – Files over 5 MB will not be accepted.
Acceptable images should be at 3000 pixels on the longest side.
Selection:
2025 Naarm Textile Biennale – Social Fabric is being curated by Tamara Russell
Work will be selected from digital images. Selection will be based on the overall quality of the work and its compliance with the standards stated in “Conditions of Entry.”
Please note that images not titled correctly will not be viewed.
Work, which differs significantly from the image representing it, will not be accepted and returned to the artist.
Selected Work:
Artists will be asked to provide HIGH RESOLUTION (300dpi) digital images (full view and detail) for use on the website and social media. In the full view, the entire artwork must be clearly visible; the edges of the work must show. Acceptable images should be at 3000 pixels on the largest dimension.
2025 Naarm Textile Biennale – Social Fabric curator reserves the right to reproduce the artwork/s or parts thereof for the purpose of publicity and promotion, on its website or for archival reference.
Notification:
Notification of the curator’s decision will be sent to the artist’s email by 5 September 2025. Naarm Textile Biennale – Social Fabric curator will retain the submitted images (accepted and declined) and reserves the right to use the images in publications and gallery publicity. Beyond such use, the artist retains full copyright of submitted images.
The curator’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Hanging of your work:
All work must be ready for hanging or plinth display. Works are required to easily hang from one attachment point or supply of other hanging methods by the artist at their own cost. Large works or suspended works will require you to arrange installation, at your own cost.
Delivery, Insurance and Return of work:
- – Artists are responsible for all costs incurred in delivery and return of accepted artwork.
- – Artists are responsible for insurance of their work
- – Each shipped entry must be packaged in a reusable container for the return of work. No Styrofoam peanuts please.
- – All shipments must include prepaid return shipping postage and address mailing label.
- – Include the insured value if insurance is requested (at your cost).
- – Hand delivered entries must be delivered to FortyFiveDownstairs gallery between 10–11am Monday 29 September 2025
Delivery of your work:
Delivering in person: please bring your work between 10am – 11am Monday 29 September 2025 to FortyFiveDownstairs Gallery, 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne.
Postal: Address available on request
Using Post or Carriers: despatch your work to ensure that it arrives before 22 September 2025. Keep tracking details if you post your work or keep a copy of the freight documents.
Freight Costs:
All return freight/ postage / insurance (if required) costs must be prepaid. Before wrapping/packing, place all return freight/consignment documents with your work.
Collecting Your Work:
After the close of the Exhibition between 10-11am Sunday 26 October 2025 from FortyFiveDownstairs
Posted works will be mailed after the closing of the exhibition.
Copyright:
The curators of 2025 Naarm Textile Biennale – Social Fabric will not be responsible for any damage or loss suffered by any person or organisation due to infringement of copyright.
Your Privacy:
Your personal details will not be disclosed by any other party. Any requests for details will be passed on to the artist concerned.
Important Dates:
Entries Close: 29 August 2025
Notification: By 5 September 2025
Delivery of Selected Artworks: 10–11am Monday 29 September 2025
Exhibition Dates: 30 September – 25 October 2025
Exhibition Opening Event: 5-7pm Tuesday 30 September 2025
Collection of Artworks: 10-11am Sunday 26 October 2025
45Downstairs Gallery Opening Hours
Tuesday – Friday: 12pm – 7pm
Saturdays: 12pm – 4pm