Maggie and the OWLS: Light in Space

Maggie Hensel-Brown and the Outer West LacemakerS (OWLS)

Light in Space is an exhibition that honours the traditions and evolving techniques of lacemaking: a practice historically overlooked as a domestic, decorative and amateur craft. Taking shape as a conversation between local lacemaking collective the Outer West LacemakerS known as the OWLS – and contemporary lace artist Maggie Hensel-Brown, Light in Space bridges the traditional and the contemporary to reaffirm lacemaking’s cultural significance, enduring legacy, and dynamic potential as an artistic medium.

Presented in Lewers House Gallery, the former home of artists Margo and Gerald Lewers, Light in Space speaks to the spirit of this site as a place where creativity seamlessly intertwined with everyday life. Lewers House is reminiscent of a certain duality: where tradition meets modernity, passion and unbridled experimentation. Light in Space recalls this very same dualism, celebrating the traditions and origins of lacemaking while exploring the many ways in which its practitioners continue to extend and reimagine our ideas about lace.

The title of this exhibition, Light in Space, is drawn from a quote by Margo Lewers, the full quote reading: ‘light through colour; light through the garden; light in space.’ Though emulative of Margo’s own practice, this phrase holds special pertinence to the practice of lacemaking. In lace, images are delineated in thread, and it is the light passing through the gaps that brings the patterns to the surface. Shining a light on – or through – lace punctuates the image, and it’s this that reveals the intricately woven connections that make lace what it is. Light in Space invites us to see lacemaking with renewed clarity— bringing an overlooked practice into new light to examine the stories it tells, the histories that have shaped it, and the possibilities it holds for the future.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Maggie Hensel-Brown (b. 1990) is an Australian textile artist who works largely with needle lace, taking inspiration from historical pictorial lace panels from the 16th century paired with pictorial storytelling in the contemporary age, such as through social media. Hensel-Brown graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Newcastle, NSW in 2014, before learning the Reticella needle lace technique at a conference of the Australian Lace Guild in 2015. Her practice has been solely dedicated to lacemaking since then, which she pursues through continued study, practice, and teaching of the artform.

The OWLS (Outer West Lacemakers) are a local lacemaking collective who meet and work fortnightly in Penrith and Springwood. In 2025, they celebrate their 40th anniversary with the exhibition Light in Space. The OWLS members exhibited here are: Erica Brooks, Elyn Brey, Heather Plant, Helen Mewett, Helen Talarico, Jill Mogridge, Judith Hawkes, June Ball, Marlene Hay, Marianne Erickson, Mary Stevens, Pat MacDonald, Stephaney Packham, Yvonne Murray.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

AUTUMN SUITE EXHIBITION OPENING, SATURDAY 22 MARCH, 6PM

All welcome, free entry. RSVP to gallery@penrith.city by Wednesday 19 March

DROP-IN LACEMAKING, TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS, 11AM – 1PM

Join the OWLS every Tuesday and Wednesdays during the exhibition for lacemaking activities, demonstrations, and contribute to a community lace project. Free

BOBBIN LACE WORKSHOP, SATURDAY 5 APRIL, 10AM – 1PM

Learn the slow art of bobbin lacemaking with OWLS member Judith Hawkes, as part of Slow Art Day 2025. Tickets are $60 (including materials, tea and coffee). Book here.

NEEDLE LACE WORKSHOP, SATURDAY 3 MAY – SUNDAY 4 MAY, 10AM – 2PM

Join exhibiting artist, Maggie Hensel-Brown, for a two-day introductory workshop on needle lacemaking. Tickets are $60 (including materials, tea and coffee). Book here.

OWLS COMMUNITY LACE PROJECT, ONGOING

Contribute to a lace artwork informed by Margo Lewers’ mosaic work. See reception for more information.

OLLIE THE OWL HUNT, ONGOING

Go on an owl hunt in the Gallery’s artist garden to find all ten of ‘Ollie’ the crocheted owls. Activity sheets are available at reception. Free

Supported by Penrith City Council, Penrith Performing & Visual Arts, the NSW Government through Create NSW, and TLE Electricals.