As a textile artist, I think it is healthy to venture beyond quilt show and specialist textile venues and to share my work alongside artists in other media. The Gosford Art Prize is a great opportunity to do just that. Each year, Gosford Regional Gallery invites local and national artists across all media to submit their work for consideration. My work was previously selected in 2012 and 2015. This year 520 entries were received and 161 artworks were chosen for exhibition including High Country Lupins #5.
Pictured left is Flowers by Katerina Apale.
The exhibition runs for almost two months and closes on 26 November 2017. It’s exciting to exhibit in such a quality gallery for an extended period.
Working BIG
High Country Lupins #5 is a study building on motifs and themes developed in my Wildflowers series. My goal with this piece was to work BIG. Initially I contemplated incorporating turquoises and blue greens representing the milky waters of the glacial lakes in the South Island of New Zealand: I may yet make a work in these colours but, for now, I decided to limit myself to a palette of pinks and purples. My design wall is 6×6 foot and this piece filled most of it up.
Working at this size in physically demanding and there may have been some unpicking involved… It was too big to trim up in my studio so I moved to the living area in the main house blocking traffic into the kitchen.
Ulimately the work ended up 178x155cm-HxW (70x57inches) which stretched my comfort levels:
High Country Lupins #5 (178x155cm-HxW)
Thriving despite a harsh environment, and maligned as an invasive weed, Russell lupins create a defiant crescendo of colour in the high country of New Zealand each November and December.
Freeform piecing. Machine quilting.
Blue Delphiniums Update
After wrestling with High Country Lupins #5, it was a relief to work on the smaller Blue Delphiniums which is 89x98cm. This work won 2nd prize in the small category at the recent Modern Quilt Show Australia. I am grateful to Rachaeldaisy for sending me these installation photos:
Thank you also to Catherine Butterworth for collecting my prizes sponsored by Victorian Textiles and Art N Quilting Studio). You can never have too much batting!
View the Modern Quilt Show Australia 2017 Prizewinners gallery.
Charlotte Scott says
Congratulations on both counts, Brenda!
Marianne says
Bravo et merci pour le partage