INTERVIEW: Deb Mansfield

INTERVIEW: Deb Mansfield – Weaving Narratives of Travel and Transformation

Deb Mansfield’s And dive into the sea exhibition at Stills Gallery in Sydney presents a unique exploration of travel and the precariousness of remote spaces through her distinctive photo-tapestries. We spoke with the artist about her inspirations, processes, and the significance of this body of work.

Your photo-tapestries combine photography and textile art. What drew you to this medium?

Deb Mansfield: The process of weaving and stitching felt like the perfect metaphor for the themes I wanted to explore—connection, disconnection, and the fragility of journeys. I’m fascinated by how travel transforms our perception of place, and how those impressions can feel fragmented, much like a tapestry. The combination of photography and weaving lets me express this interplay between the real and the reconstructed.

The exhibition reflects on the precarious nature of travel. What inspired this theme?

I’ve always been drawn to littoral spaces—those transitional areas where land meets the sea. They feel like thresholds, both physically and metaphorically. For this exhibition, I was influenced by internet-found images of island crossings and early space exploration. Both evoke a sense of risk and the unknown, but also the allure of discovery.

The titles of your works—like Watch them swing and The sea is going down—are evocative. How do they tie into your pieces?

Titles are important to me; they’re like poetic fragments that hint at the narrative without giving it away. For example, Watch them swing might refer to the precarious balance of a journey, while The sea is going down speaks to shifts in perspective and the passage of time. They’re meant to open up the viewer’s imagination, much like the woven and photographic layers in the works themselves.

You’ve travelled extensively to create your art. How have these journeys shaped your practice?

Each place I visit leaves an imprint on my work. From Moreton Bay in Queensland to the Mississippi River Delta and Newfoundland, I’ve been captivated by the stories these landscapes hold. These journeys aren’t just about the physical places—they’re also about how those spaces resonate within us, how they make us feel displaced yet deeply connected.

You’ve had an incredibly busy year since joining the University of Newcastle. How does this exhibition fit into your trajectory?

It’s been a whirlwind! This exhibition, along with the Ryan Renshaw show in Brisbane, represents the culmination of two years of research and work. It feels like a milestone—bringing together all these ideas and techniques I’ve been exploring. It’s a chance to reflect on how far I’ve come and what’s next.

What do you hope viewers take away from And dive into the sea?

I hope they feel a sense of movement and transformation. The works are about journeys—not just physical ones, but the emotional and psychological shifts that happen when we step into the unknown. Whether it’s crossing an ocean or navigating life’s uncertainties, I want viewers to feel that tension between fragility and resilience, between being lost and finding a way forward.

Deb Mansfield: And dive into the sea
Stills Gallery, Sydney
Exhibition dates: 24 September – 25 October 2014
For more information, visit stillsgallery.com.au.