Liz Williamson (1949-2024) was a revered Australian craftsperson. Since she began weaving in the 1970s, Liz dedicated herself to textiles as a creative medium. Her beautifully textured scarfs were worn proudly as an icon of Australian craft. Her exhibition work reflected a deep commitment to the power of weaving as an expression of our cultural identity. This was realised most recently in her epic Weaving Eucalyptus Project (2020) which toured Australia. Besides her own work, Liz was a prolific teacher and generous mentor. In 1997, she established textiles at the College of Fine Arts UNSW where she taught until 2020. She was also tireless in travelling around Australia and giving workshops, especially at her beloved Sturt Gallery & Studios. Beyond all this, she was a proud champion of Australian crafts, which she demonstrated when she was elected President of the World Crafts Council – Australia in 2022. In 2007, the Australian Design Centre designated Liz as an Australian Living Treasure and in 2023 she was selected for the World Crafts Council Craft Master Award.
This recent loss is a shock to all of us at World Crafts Council – Australia. We send our condolences to all those who knew her. We will share details of any upcoming events in her memory.
I am so shocked & saddened to read this. What a humongous loss to the weaving community, worldwide.
Thank you fir letting us all know of this very unexpected sad news.
Liz has been such an amazing artist, mentor, teacher and colleague to many textile artists. She shared her passion with weavers such as my mother the late Erika Semler.
I was shocked at the news of Liz Williamson passing. I only saw her at the markets a couple of weeks ago. We taught textiles together at Cofa, for more than 10 years; as she taught weave and structure, I taught printed textiles, it was the perfect combination. I especially like her inventiveness and the way she always came up with cutting-edge aesthetic solutions in her work. She was a master of her craft. A fine teacher and a loving caring person. She will be sadly missed.
I was very lucky to do a workshop with Liz in her home only 6 weeks ago. Such sad news and a huge loss to weaving and craft.
I was fortunate to be taught by Liz at COFA and went on one of her cultural tours to India, which was life-changing. I am saddened by her sudden loss, but I know her creative legacy will live through the many students she inspired. She had such a love for this craft and was very generous in sharing her knowledge with her students. I was lucky to be invited to her home, where looms and books lined the rooms and hallways.
I was so fortunate to take several classes with her in the US and to visit her briefly in Sydney. Liz told me that she remembered me well as I’m the owner of a special scarf as she had made only one of this kind. I also own one of her early double weave scarves. What a loss!
A tireless artist and educator. Liz was a generous innovator and inspired many. She is a great loss.
I am very lucky to have several of her scarves purchased from the sales she held yearly at her home in Sydney.
With great sadness.
I was a lecturer too with Liz from twenty five years ago and she was, I consider, the only bright and giving star there at the time.
Getting to know her, Liz studied economics before her transition to textiles.
Liz conducted herself in that measured and economic way;
very measured.
Yet watching her arrive back to Australia from India for the first time, armed with two bulging bags with the most diverse and wondrous selection of textiles, Liz was just like a greedy child in a candy shop.
The look in her face; her being was a treat and her way of eating that candy was again, so well measured, yet relished.
Love you Liz
Liz was a wonderful teacher, I did not specialise in weaving, but as student at COFA, creating works with embroidery, Liz always provided greater insight about textiles constitution, capacity ect..she also had enormous network of friends that loved her, like me. Love for you. always. RIP.