Making the Australian Quilt: 1800–1950 is the first major exhibition of its kind to bring together a selection of works that constitute Australia’s quilt heritage. Exclusive to National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) the exhibition includes more than 80 works by 57 known and several unknown makers from around the country. It is a privilege to have been able to view this exhibition in my home town and after my initial visit several weeks ago I knew I needed to go back with my camera so as capture these inspiring works.
Gertrude Mary Day
Hexagon Quilt (stars and tumbling blocks)
early 20th century - silk.
Private collection, Melbourne.
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| Click on any image for a larger view. |
The exhibition is co-curated by Katie Somerville (Senior Curator, Fashion and Textiles) and leading quilt historian and collector Dr Annette Gero. Many of the quilts are on loan from private collectors as well as borrowed from public lenders including Art Gallery of South Australia, Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and the National Gallery of Australia.
Hexagon Quilt 1850-60 - silk.
Unknown maker.
Collection of Dr Annette Gero.
English paper pieced.
The story of the Australian quilt can be categorised broadly into two phases; the first from early to mid 1800's saw quilters reference and adapt British quilting traditions. The second phase from late 1800's to mid 1900's saw the introduction of Australian symbols used to demonstrate a sense of pride and belonging. The quilts are made by men as well as women, and have been stitched as expression of love, skill, and leisure, but also necessity and
making do.
Mary Jane Hannaford
Advance Australia Quilt 1920-21
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
There are many great stories about the quilts that are on show, including quilts made by convicts on the long haul to Australia, quilts brought to Australia by officials and their families, and quilts made by early settlers and immigrants. One of my favorite makers from the exhibition is Mary Jane Hannaford (quilts pictured above and below).
Mary Jane Hannaford
Wedding Quilt 1922
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Mary Jane Hannaford was an English immigrant from Devon, arriving with her parents and brother in Australia in 1842, aged just 2. Although not married, Mary Jane had a daughter in 1869 and subsequently 9 grand children for whom she made quilts. Mary Jane did not start making quilts until she was in her eighties (1920's). All of her quilts feature free form applique and tell stories about patriotism, religious faith, and the love of Australian wildlife and flowers.
Flora Eggers
Hexagon Quilt 1950
English paper pieced hexagons.
Collection of Dr Annette Gero
The quilts range from pristine condition to stained and tattered from use. Personally I was amazed by the use of color and fabric in the quilts, attention to detail, resourcefulness, as well as the abundance of quilts that were made using the English paper piecing technique.
Sailor's Tumbling Block Quilt 1946 - silk.
Unknown maker.
Collection of Dr Annette Gero.
English paper pieced.
Many of these quilts still had paper templates in them, some peeking through the worn fabric layer, often featuring newsprint.
Sarah Wall (nee Litherland)
Hexagon Quilt 1811
Collection of Dr Annette Gero.
Elizabeth Mary Evans
Diamond Quilt 1944-45
Private collection.
These quilts are just a snippet of what is on display as part of the Making the Australian Quilt exhibition at the Ian Potter Center (NGV Federation Square), and whilst there many examples of fine work and a great variety of techniques and styles I fear my eye may have been overly trained on those works that immediately drew my attention.
Jeannette Dick (later Thomas)
Log Cabin Quilt 1867
Collection of Dr Annette Gero.
Federation Square - Melbourne
but hurry! Ends 6th November 2016
