The Texture of Light

A shift occurs when the eye moves from the broad strokes of painting and photography toward the intimate, tactile reality of fiber. For Timothy John Harding, this transition marks a move into the grain of the medium itself. He works with the inherent grid of the weave and the pliable nature of a surface that can be manipulated through layering. His process involves cutting, layering, and stitching bits of silk to create a pixel-like quality. This method draws heavily from pointillism, using simultaneous contrast—placing multiple solid colors in tight proximity—to generate a sense of depth.

The goal is the capture of raw beauty found in small natural moments. Through the layering of silk, images are obscured and then revealed beneath the surface. This technique attempts to simulate the visual behavior of light: the way it distorts, reflects, and refracts. The resulting works aim to suggest the space existing both above and below a surface, much like the movement of water.

The Koi Diptych

In 1997, the piece known as Koi Diptych emerged, a large-scale work that gained attention at Quilt National. The artist sought to replicate the specific illusion of goldfish flickering through a moving, reflective aquatic surface. Using raw edge silk and machine quilting, the work utilizes cloth pieces to simulate fish swimming through a body of moving water. This piece resides within the San Jose Museum of Quilts - Textiles, San Jose.

A Life in Motion

Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1978, Harding’s path is marked by distinct shifts in occupation and medium. Before focusing on the intricacies of textiles, he was a prominent figure in Australian entertainment. As a founding member of the musical group Hi-5 from 1998 to 2007, he performed as a singer, guitarist, and puppeteer, providing the voice for characters like Jup Jup. His career in music included the funk band Compos Mentis, which began in 1993, and the wedding band Soultraders.

A sudden interruption arrived at Eastern Creek Raceway. A motorcycle accident resulted in a broken back and toes, an event that eventually led to his departure from the Hi-5 cast in late 2007. Following this period of recovery, his focus expanded into the realm of installation and textile art. His recent work includes large-scale projects such as Polyptych in 55 Parts, a 2025 work consisting of acrylic on canvas over panels.