Weaving Connections: Elise Cakebread’s Place-Based Storytelling
Elise Cakebread transforms discarded textiles into captivating artworks, sharing stories of place, memory and sustainable beauty.
Found materials take on a new life in textile artworks by Elise Cakebread. Photography supplied.
Two evocative textile artworks by Elise Cakebread, titled Flotsam and Jetsam, hold a commanding presence at Capella Sydney hotel, commissioned by The Artling. Installed to frame a central doorway, they read as a pair; a gradient of creamy neutral tones in the first transitions into dramatic ochres and deep greens on the other.
This rippling palette emulates Sydney's sandstone and lush greenery, offering a nuanced textural narrative of place. "I wanted to evoke a sense of Sydney’s landscape through natural tones, rather than the usual blues associated with the city,” says Elise.
Created strand by strand, Flotsam and Jetsam epitomises Elise’s philosophy of transformation. The works are composed of an intricate array of materials: production waste, dowry linens, antique kimonos, baby clothes, muslin cloths, sewing off-cuts, paisley shirts, and fragments of dance costumes and French lace.
Site-specific artworks by Elise Cakebread are part of the public spaces at Capella Sydney. Photography by Timothy Kaye.
By piecing together discarded textiles, Elise constructs an emotional and historical tapestry that resonates deeply within Capella’s thoughtful interiors. "For me, having major works made of repurposed materials appear in a luxury hotel is incredibly rewarding," Elise reflects. "It’s about giving new life to scraps considered worthless and creating something that’s valued and enjoyed."
Elise’s affinity for textiles traces back to family connections, particularly her grandmother and mother. Initially pursuing a creative arts degree, she transitioned into textile design, drawn to its unique combination of aesthetic and tactile qualities. This early work leaned toward commercial and product-driven design, but a breakthrough moment in 2012 marked a shift.
Experimenting with a 1970s knitting machine, Elise developed a distinctive technique that has since become core to her practice, enabling her to manipulate fibres to emphasise texture and materiality.
"Textiles are intimate," Elise notes. "We wear them every day; they’re part of everyday life. Using them in art brings forward all these associations and histories bubbling beneath the surface." Her magpie-like sourcing process collects materials with resonance. "What feeling will this fabric give?" she asks.
A delightful aspect of Elise’s work is that these personal connections are encouraged, and can be enjoyed at any proximity. From afar, the pair are a striking, abstracted study in colour and form. Upon closer inspection, one might catch little hints of Australiana in old tourism scarves, reinforcing Sydney’s reputation as a travel destination, visited from all over the world.
Elise’s engagement with sustainability adds another layer to her work. By repurposing found and forgotten materials, she challenges traditional notions of value and waste. "Textiles have long been tied to women's work and political commentary," she says. "I celebrate the aesthetics, texture, and femininity of the materials, embracing their heritage rather than framing them in overtly satirical or political contexts."
Flotsam and Jetsam by Elise Cakebread, commissioned for Capella Sydney by The Artling. Photography by Timothy Kaye.
This subtle yet deliberate approach is emblematic of a broader movement in contemporary art, one that values the artistry of craft borne in the home. "Moving away from design thinking and firmly into art, my practice has become a way to explore ideas, articulate feelings, and speak on different issues," Elise says. Her journey from design to fine art has been marked by a growing appreciation for the medium’s ability to convey layered meaning and evoke meaningful responses.
In Flotsam and Jetsam, these themes coalesce into works that are as striking as they are meaningful. Through the interplay of colour, texture, and material, the pieces tell a story of place and transformation, aligning seamlessly with Capella Sydney’s narrative; a heritage building formerly housing government offices, reimagined as a luxury hotel engaged with its locale. Elise Cakebread’s artistry reminds us of the power of textiles – not just as functional objects, but as carriers of history and culture.