The State of the Art (SOTA) 23 exhibition by Queensland Quilters will officially open at Childers Art Space before beginning its state-wide tour.
The launch event takes place on Saturday 15 April at noon.
Under the theme ‘Flora’, artists have used a wide range of techniques, including painting, printing, eco dyeing, collage, hand and machine stitching and more.
The exhibition is a judged and juried collection of textile art and will go on to tour regional galleries before being displayed at the Convention Centre in Brisbane.
Council’s Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth said Bundaberg Regional Galleries was proud to be hosting the opening event.
“With such a vibrant and active quilting and textile community throughout our region, this event is a coup, and an opportunity to engage with quilters from throughout the state,” he said.
The exhibition features the work of local quilter Sandra Sullivan who said she was honoured to join the other artists in this collection.
“I have been a member of Queensland Quilters for over 10 years and part of our local group, Bundaberg Quilters, since 2009,” she said.
“It’s a very active social club with a progressive textile art group.
“It keeps me on my toes, up to date and inspired.”
Plenty of quilts on show at Childers exhibition
Exhibition curator Julie Tasker said visitors could expect to see a diverse range of quilts made using many different techniques.
“It is our hope that visitors to the exhibition will gain a fuller understanding of what art quilt is, and what techniques and materials can be used to create such work,” she said.
“It is incredibly important to tour these kinds of exhibitions because they promote art quilts to a broader section of the community, give due recognition to the role of the art quilt as an art form and demonstrate the changing role of the quilting arts.”
Julie said they hoped the exhibition would inspire people to have a go at making an art quilt themselves.
“During the pandemic many hundreds of sewing machines were dusted off, oiled and put to work again,” she said.
“The quilting community is very strong in Queensland, and I believe it is growing.”
State of the Art 23 Official Opening
Where: Childers Art Space
When: 15 April, 12 pm
Cost: Free event, no booking required
The exhibition runs from 14 April to 9 July, to find out more click here.
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