Knot Box

As a fiber artist and fashion designer, Peter translates emotions, thoughts, and concepts into tangible experiences. The work is rooted in the ancient art form of decorative knot tying: macramé.Peter first learned fiber arts from his grandparents in Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, UK. They owned an alleyway arts and craft store called Gemini through the '80s and '90s. Their influence nurtured an initial understanding of art, craftsmanship, and how raw materials could be transformed into something meaningful.Following a 12-year career in the fashion industry, Peter moved to Australia. His exposure and experience of art in Melbourne truly evolved his practice. Immersed in a creative community of street artists, florists, photographers, and ceramists, Peter began to see macramé as not just a craft, but a medium to express complex emotions and narratives.The process of macramé is meditative and labor-intensive. Some garments take 100+ hours to complete. Within that time, the repetition of knots becomes a method of silent storytelling. The pieces aim to explore the tension between structure and fluidity, containment and freedom. The garments are wearable expressions of emotion - each knot holding a moment of thought, struggle, or release.Circularity is at the core of the practice. Mr. Macramé responsibly sources natural, recycled, or organic materials, ensuring that every piece is environmentally conscious. The concept of repurposing is central, not just in terms of materials but also in how the narratives are woven into the work. The repurposed emotions, ideas, and concepts transform through the act of creation and re-creation.Off-cuts from macramé cords, which would otherwise be discarded, are reworked into future projects, contributing to a continuous cycle of reuse and reinvention. This mirrors the emotional cycles that inspire much of the work - an idea that nothing is new and nothing is wasted; even pain and struggle can be reshaped into something else.Through craftsmanship, Peter hopes to bring macramé into the contemporary fashion world while maintaining a deep connection to its origins. The work exists at the intersection of art, fashion, and craftsmanship. Each piece is a garment but also a reflection of thought, emotion, knowledge, or experience.