Andrew Chan & Lyras Daear
I’m good, Thanks, 2024
Mixed Wool, Glass Beads, Embroidery Threads.

Loneliness isn’t always obvious, much like mental health. It’s a topic people often avoid, and I admit, I’ve been guilty of that too. Putting up a brave front and avoiding asking for help can feel like part of being independent, like proof of adulthood.

The beaded flowers and grass on the bolero were hand-embroidered by local artist Lyras Daear, inspired by the native flora along the Merri Creek on Wurundjeri Land. The Creek became both a source of inspiration and my sanctuary during this exhibition’s preparation, offering me a rare sense of peace and belonging.

The flowers pierce through the knit, blooming brightly as a symbol of resilience and hope. They serve as a reminder that even in moments of struggle, beauty and light can emerge.

Andrew Chan
Warm Waters, 2024
Mixed Wool

I got this thing for you.
If you come closer I can whisper in your ear.
And if you want to walk away.
I’ll tell you all the things I know you want to hear.
– Banks , 2013

If you look closely, you might spot two figures caught in a moment of connection.

Andrew Chan & Simon Aubor
Karaoke Videos, 2024  

Back home, one of karaoke’s charming quirks was the delightfully random music videos – where lyrics and visuals rarely matched. I wanted to capture that playful spirit here in Merri-bek, with Simon Aubor bringing this vision to life through his videography and editing.

As a fibre artist who’s most comfortable knitting in the corner of my home, performing in public while wearing a dress was incredibly daunting – even with my face covered, it felt like a huge step outside my comfort zone. But what I found was unexpected warmth. Instead of the jeers I’d feared, I was met with encouragement and praises as we filmed across Coburg Lake Park, Central Coburg, Central Brunswick, OTHER GOODS & SERVICES and Little Homey Café.

Music credits:
“Put Your Head on My Shoulder” by Paul Anka
“Endless Love” by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey
“Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan
“Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
“I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston. 

All rights reserved to their respective owners.

Andrew Chan & Kiki Apokotos
That White Tank Top, 2024  
Upcycled Denim, Mixed wool, Earrings, Beads, Vintage Buckles, Buttons, Toy and watch pieces.

The queer community often faces media’s hypersexualisation, where personal worth gets tied to sexual encounters. Living independently and seeking connection, I found myself turning to casual encounters for comfort, though these proved to be temporary solutions to a deeper need for genuine intimacy.

The white tank top, a garment loaded with meanings in queer culture—from desire to rebellion to community—became my starting point. Reimagining it in knitted form, I transformed something typically sexualised into an object of craft and personal significance. This process helped me realise that meaningful connections take time and care, much like the act of knitting itself.

The foundation of this piece is my old denim jacket, now reimagined through collaboration with local designer Kiki Apokotos. Kiki’s brooches are unique, crafted from thrifted materials she’s drawn to. Her love for collecting forgotten objects, pulling them apart, and reassembling them organically breathes new life into what was once forgotten. Just as Kiki breathes new life into forgotten objects, each person I’ve encountered has left their mark on me. These brooches represent those passing connections, each one telling the story of a character who has shaped my path.

Andrew Chan
Still Knitting, 2024  
Mixed wool   

This was one of the first pieces I worked on for this exhibition. While my work usually focuses on representing my collaborators, Still Knitting is something more personal – it captures me in my natural state, knitting at home, on my couch, in my corner. This is my safe space where I can be fully immersed in both my creative process and myself.

Knitting has become my language, a way to express what’s going on beneath the surface. It’s how I communicate with myself and connect with others. Through each stitch, I’ve found my voice and started understanding myself better. All those quiet moments with yarn and needles have helped me make sense of living between two worlds – not quite belonging back home, not quite fitting in here.

For now, you’ll find me here—on the couch, knitting, finding my own way of belonging.

Simon Aubor
Still Knitting by Merri Creek, 2024
35mm film photo printed on cotton & linen blend cloth

This was the last minute addition to the exhibition. Simon took a lovely photo of me by the creek while we were out shooting and I thought it was the perfect glue for the whole exhibition.