Monday, May 3, 2010

The Australasian Quilt Convention

Yesterday I attended the last day of the AQC (I was going to put a link but the website was not responding by the time I got home - very efficient), not as a convention member, just as a visitor.  I managed to stay fairly clear of the stalls and am proud to announce that I did not buy any quilting materials.  However, I did buy some threads from The Thread Studio stand and a back support from the Punch with Judy stand.  I used the latter today as I worked on my miniature tapestry and think it was a successful purchase.
The quilts were amazing, so many different styles and interpretations of challenges.
I was especially interested in the Textile Tantrums exhibit, organised by Dale Rollerson of The Thread Studio.  There were some very innovative works in that exhibit.
I also saw the Twelve by Twelve exhibition.  This is a group of twelve art quilters from all over the world who have an online group.  They have a theme every two months and make an art quilt twelve inches by twelve inches.  It is the first time they have exhibited their work together.  Apparently they are going to have a book published about their work also.  There were 2 years worth of quilts on view, all beautifully done.
My current interest is art quilts but I have yet to produce much in that area.  I am concentrating on the tapestry, screen print and design subjects that I am studying.
Another group in the UK had their work on show, also inspiring and beautiful.  They were the Out of the Fold works.  Once again, some amazing techniques and beautiful pieces, also smallish.  I have found two links on the internet for two of the works that I especially liked:
Annette Morgan and Birgitte Hendricks.  There were some other names that I took note of but have not found links yet.

11 comments:

parlance said...

I liked the red and black quilt on Annetter Morgan's bo]log.

Mary said...

Parlance, it reminds me of the one currently at the top of her home page, which is the one I saw at the ACQ. It was three layers of fabric, appeared to have black wadding and was burnt in places to get the effects. It was amazing.

theregatha said...

I really enjoy looking at art quilts. I also appreciate any explanations offered. However I am not sure how a quilt is a quilt when it ceases to be functional as a quilt. Can you offer any insights?

Mary said...

Hi theregatha,
I have recently asked the question "what is an art quilt?" on my yahoo group and there have been varying answers. Briefly, my interpretation is that is can be called a quilt because it has several layers joined together with sewing and is an art work. So a bed quilt can be functional but an art quilt does not have to be.
Maybe I should research this more and post about it later - not so late at night!

SewDanish-Scandinavian Textile Art, Unique Handmade Supplies said...

Hi Mary. I'm so glad you liked our 'Out Of The Fold" quilts. Great to get a feedback from someone who actually saw our exhibition in the context of the show. Very exciting :-)
We were all quite humbled by having our quilt on display all the way 'Down Under'. Sounds as if you really enjoyed your self!
Greetings from England
Birgitte Hendricks
http://SewDanish.blogspot.com

Mary said...

Hi Birgitte,
I loved the quilts. My friends and I often look at what is available in the UK and are very jealous! There seems to be so much available and happening there in terms of textile art.

SewDanish-Scandinavian Textile Art, Unique Handmade Supplies said...

Believe me I feel totally furtunate to be living in England. From a textile art point of view there is SO MUCH going on. If you ever visit England in the autumn it is worth checking the dates for the 'Knitting and Stitching show's'. They are out of this world and the total cutting edge with in textile art (and vendors). I love that show!
I belong to another textile group as well called 'Fibrefusion'. The groups mentor, Pauline Verrinder will be teaching next year, October 2011, in Australia. I think it is in Melbourne, but I'm not absolutely sure about that. She teaches experimental freestyle machine embroidery and is GREAT. If interested in that type of work, pls take a look at fibrefusions web site. Her work as well as the group members will be on display.
Lots of happy quilting and stitching to you :-)
Birgitte

theregatha said...

Oh dear, I have just wandered over to the Fibrefusion site and am now totally besotted! I must know the details of Pualines workshops in Melbourne next year. This is a definite must...
thank you for sharing

Mary said...

theregatha, I agree. I will have to look and see if I will be able to attend the workshops. Thanks Birgitte, for letting us know.

SewDanish-Scandinavian Textile Art, Unique Handmade Supplies said...

Hi again. I spoke to Pauline Verrinder the other day. She told me that the next time she'll be teaching in Sidney not Melbourne. Last time she taught was in Melbourne, but they have changed the venue. She didn't have any details at the present time, as everything is in the planning stage. If you want me to, I can keep you posted :-)
Take care
Birgitte

Mary said...

Hi Birgitte, that would be great! I will put a separate post about it when you have more details and my thousands of readers (joke!) will get the information too.
Thanks, Mary