Material Intersections: The Future of 3D Knit & First Nations Design
Presented by UnitePlayPerform & Melissa Gilbert & Knovus
DETAILS
Ticketed
North Magdalen Laundry
Abbotsford Convent, 1 Saint Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC, Australia
Step into the historic Magdalen Laundry at Abbotsford Convent for an immersive exploration of the language of knit and its intersection with contemporary First Nations designs. As part of Melbourne Design Week 2026, UnitePlayPerform and KNOVUS present a deep dive into how digital precision translates cultural narrative and artistic vision into tactile, three-dimensional form.
This 1.5-hour workshop pulls back the curtain on the complex development process between the artist and advanced knit technology. We will explore the “materiality of the future,” examining the fascinating intersection of natural yarns subjected to unique post-process treatments and repurposed nylon sourced from industrial rope makers.
Participants will be guided through a curated walkthrough of development samples, offering a rare opportunity to discuss the immense opportunities and inherent limitations of 3D knitting. This is more than a simple knowledge transfer; it is an investigation into the rare and the experimental, focusing on how the language of knit allows First Nations designs to be reimagined through the lens of high-tech innovation.
Hear from Australia’s leading authority on knit technology, Patricia Chircop (Founder of KNOVUS), and acclaimed First Nations artist Melissa Gilbert. Together, they will share insights into their collaborative process, bridging the gap between artistic storytelling and the cutting edge of industrial design.
Participants
Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert is an award-winning artist, designer, and cultural strategist described by Australian Design Review as “an exemplar of socially engaging art” and recognised for “excelling in producing socially engaging work.” Named a “cultural disruptor” by Broadsheet, she was selected for NGV’s Melbourne Design Fair – Discovery, spotlighting the next generation of design leaders. Gilbert is the founder of UnitePlayPerform, a living intelligence studio activating embodied systems change, and co-founder of The Nest Creative Space, Australia’s largest grassroots creative production studio community. Her work has been exhibited at AGNSW, Rockhampton Museum of Art, Museum of Brisbane, MONA, VIVID, and internationally. She has also been featured in Vogue and ArtsHub.
Patricia Chircop
Patricia Chircop is founder and director of Knovus, a Melbourne-based knit innovation studio specialising in advanced manufacturing, design, and education. With over 15 years’ experience, she bridges design, programming, and hyperlocal manufacturing through advanced 3D knitting technologies.