Solstar II
South Yarra, Melbourne
2025
Solstar II is a response to Asher Bilu’s Solstar—a circular void set within a square frame. This work echoes Bilu’s composition by turning the void into a literal absence of yarn, exposing the loom beneath and allowing the wall behind to become part of the image.
Texturally, the tapestry plays with depth and movement. Stray yarns are introduced and gradually lengthen the further they are from the centre. Around the void, these long strands become most prominent—inviting touch and drawing attention to the empty space they surround.
By revealing the structure of the loom and using the empty space at its centre, Solstar II explores ideas of infinity and the unknown—mirroring the black hole-like presence in Bilu’s painting. The loose strands also echo the texture of impasto in Solstar, creating a contrast between dense materiality and open space.
The framed circular void recontextualises the grey brick wall behind it, pulling the architecture into the artwork and making the environment part of the overall composition.
Tapestry Design Prize 2025
3D Visualisations by Davidov Architects
