The lament of a Western District sheep farmer has been spun out as the basis for WARM, a Sustainable Environment Arts Movement (SEAM) textile art project involving over 200 knitters across the country.

WARM opens at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Saturday.

SEAM co-director Lisa Kendal met the former farmer, Frank, during a tour of Western Victoria with SEAM’s production Ella’s Choice.

“One of the farmers we interviewed said ‘the problem is we’ve forgotten how to warm ourselves with wool’,” Ms Kendal said. 

“That was gem for us, it brought together all the things we were feeling but hadn’t yet articulated as well as that farmer did on that day.”

Hundreds of people contributed to a knitted landscape designed by local artist Lars Stenberg with knitting patterns designed by Georgie Nicolson of tikki knits.

Some knitters sent bundles of 30 pieces to be incorporated into the project.

The installation, which depicts a degraded and also a revitalised landscape, incorporates about 1000 knitted pieces. 

“It’s an extraordinary translation of a really accessible skill and people can participate in a really beautiful art project - even very accomplished knitters have said the pattern has challenged them to move into new spaces and to really celebrate their skills,” Ms Kendal said.

“One lady had emailed in that she’s very passionate about environmental issues but she has chronic fatigue but she can’t often get out so she was just so thrilled to be able to be involved in a community project.”

WARM opens at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Saturday, September 3 at at 3.30pm,

The launch includes an On the Couch session with Committee for Ballarat chief executive officer Melanie Robertson, Lars Stenberg, Georgie Nicolson and Lisa Kendal.

To RSVP contact Art Gallery of Ballarat on 5320 5858 or email artgal@ballarat.vic.gov.au.