Australian Textile Designer and Master Weaver, Mirka Rozmus

Australian textile designer and master weaver, Mirka Rozmus, is the only known exponent in the world to specialise in the rare and delicate art of fine silk hand weaving, using traditionally-dyed Japanese silk yarns. It has take more than 25 years of sheer dedication for Mirka to perfect this art. A purist in her approach, she works alone on her 8-shaft, foot-powered hand loom, without computers, calculators or machinery of any kind. Each original fine silk scarf she creates is the result of hours of hard work, purposeful effort and years of expertise.

To date, her silk scarves have served to foster international goodwill and cultural understanding at the highest level, through charity fund-raising and through presentation to Royalty and Heads of State around the world.

Her devotion to preserving this age-old, fast disappearing craft, has led to international recognition of her work at the highest levels.

What people are saying

  • “The scarves will make a wonderful addition to the Museum’s textile collection. Everyone was very inspired by your work.”

    Lynn Felsher, Snr. Curator of Textiles, Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology, Manhattan NYC.

  • “To be represented in the National Gallery is a real honour – your work now rests beside the likes of Issey Miyake, Coco Chanel, Diaghilev, Matisse etc … very august company”.

    Ron Ramsey, Director Cultural Relations, Australian Embassy, Washington D.C.

  • “I am delighted that we have been able to secure these fine examples of your work for the National Gallery’s Australian Art collection.”

    Robert Bell, Snr. Curator, Department of Decorative Arts and Design, NGA.

  • “I am excited about the acquisition.”

    Sue Prichard, Curator, Contemporary Textiles, Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

  • “… your three hand woven silk scarves … will make a significant contribution to the contemporary textile collection.”

    Christopher Wilk, Keeper, Department of Furniture, Textiles and Fashion, Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

  • “If Mirka were Japanese, she would be considered a Living National Treasure.”

    Mr Komori, Curator, Kawashima Textile Museum, Kyoto, Japan.

  • “We greatly value the two scarves which Mirka donated to the Museum in 2003.”

    Dr Val Steele, Director, Museum at F.I.T., Manhattan, NYC.

  • “[Mirka] is a master weaver and a master of colour … I don’t know of anyone else in the world that is working at that fine level. It has been a pleasure working on this acquisition.”

    Christina Sumner, Principal Curator, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.

  • “I would like to congratulate Mirka on the quality of her work. Her scarves stand as representative examples of Australian excellence.”

    Dr Dawn Casey, Director, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney.