Barbara Joseph is a textile artist working in Auckland, mainly on large-scale collaborative works. Often allied with schools and community group projects, Barbara works with simple techniques, generally cut paper stencils screen-printed on to cotton fabric, often highlighted with hand coouring.

"More recently I have been working with dye and exploring batik and wax resist."

"There is a huge source of inspiration in the textile collections around London, like the Hackney Museum and the Geffrey Museum. I also travelled through India and Mali and saw some of their wonderful textiles, first hand."

On her return to New Zealand in 1996 she has consolidated her work with children, in education and with community groups. "Since I've been back in New Zealand I've been exposed to New Zealand Art teachers, and there is some wonderful work being done. I think we have a fantastic tradition here and I find some of the teachers quite inspirational."

Recently Barbara has been involved with group projects at Richmond Road Primary School and Westmere Primary. She sees her work with children as a collaborative event. "It can only happen with me and the children, I can't be completely in control of it ..."

She has also worked with Nora West as 'Flying Colours', a community bannermaking team. One of the projects they have been involved with is the Arapuni Community Banner. The community was given a community centre by the Electricity board. The banner was designed and made as a collective process with the people of Arapuni.

Barbara Joseph can be contacted at barbarakjoseph@yahoo.co.nz