Regeneration @ Manly Art Gallery until 3 June

Over three months ago, I dispatched two works to Manly Art Gallery – Regrowth and Hope, Promise, Bounty:Reap What You Sow. The exhibition Regeneration: Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012 opened at the end of April when I was in New Zealand and yesterday I finally made it to the city for Sunday afternoon artist talks.

Reap What You Sow greeted me right at the entrance to the exhibition (the sculptural work on the right is Scorched Earth by Jo Steele). I was pleased that I changed the colours of this piece – it really glows against the gallery walls.

This is a view back the other way that shows the position of the process display case for this work:
Each work in the exhibition has a process display case holding sketches, samples and other items providing context to the development of the work.
A seating area for the artist talks was set up in front of my other work, Regrowth. Don’t the orange chairs coordinate well! (The other work in this photo is Regeneration 2012 by Sue Cunningham that is made from silk dupioni printed with digital images.)
The Regrowth process display case looks very like my work desk in my studio – only tidier!
It was fascinating to hear Alison Livingston, Alison Muir, Judy Hooworth and Antonia Valentine. talk about their work. Alison L reinforced the importance of turning up in your studio to do your work even if it’s not always successful. Alison Muir’s work continues to focus on water and the environment. Judy shared the process of creating her 86 x 335cm diptych. (You can see a retrospective of Judy’s work at the Sydney Quilt Show next month). And Antonia talked about her colourful digital creations. Take a look at Antonia’s website for more information.

The Regeneration: Contemporary Quilt Textiles 2012 exhibition continues until 3 June. Manly Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm and entry is free.