I have returned from an art-filled trip to Melbourne. Here are some highlights from the first day of my three day excursion:
Art Quilt Australia 2017
@ Yarra Ranges Regional Museum
Immediately on my arrival in downtown Melbourne, I topped up my Myki card and jumped on a train to Lilydale. My destination was Yarra Ranges Regional Museum where Art Quilt Australia 2017 is on exhibition until 15 April 2018. Open 7 days 10am-4pm. Free entry. The train ride is easy!
This exhibition premiered in Tasmania in 2017 and most of the works were made available for this second outing in Victoria. I have viewed the exhibition many times online and am so pleased to have the opportunity to view it in person. As always, the works were so much more interesting and dimensional in the cloth. As AQA includes the Wool Quilt Prize, many of works are made from wool and this brings different textures and reliefs into play.
The works were thoughtfully presented across two galleries. My artwork Flourish! greets visitors as they enter the downstairs gallery.
The gallery walls are painted in a deep charcoal colour creating an intimate space. The works are well lit and flow on one from another. Although the works are closely spaced, it didn’t seem cramped. There were no bulges at the top of the works with oversize hanging rods and no distracting hanging apparatus. I would happily provide my textile art to this gallery again. Thank you to Lynette Nilawerra and her team for their care and attention.
You can view more installation photos on the Ozquilt Network website.
Top Arts 2018: NGV Australia Federation Square
Back in the city and I met up with a school teacher friend to view the Top Arts 2018 exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria at Federation Square. Top Arts showcases the exceptional work of students who have completed Art or Studio Arts as part of their Victorian Certificate of Education. I was impressed by the high quality of the artwork and remarked upon how many pieces incorporated stitch, cloth or fibre including:
- What was by Lily Callanan – two stitched and embellished circles contrasting a healthy marine environment and a bleached coral landscape.
- Women’s Work by Sinead O’Connor – a recontextualised Men at Work construction sign in bold crochet.
- Community by Karina de Vries-Apted is made from stitched transparent acetate and explores how communities are brought together by myths
Top Arts 2018 continues on exhibition until 15 July 2018. Open 10am-5pm daily.
Other NGV Federation Square Highlights
My other quest at the NGV was to seek out this striking abstract painting by Grace Crowley. It wasn’t on display but I found some other treasures in the Australian Art collection including Fine Ornament, a geometric quilt-like ceramic installation by Melbourne-based designers Ben Landau and Lucile Sciallano. Each of those shapes is made by 3D clay printers. The exhibition continues until July
And while we are considering the design potential of cross-hatching, consider this detail from Lorrkon (Hollow Log) by John Mawurndjul :
Look out for my report on Day 2 tomorrow!
Jenny M says
I and 3 girlfriends recently visited our local Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, to view the Art Quilt Australia 2017 display. We absolutely loved the variety of quilts shown, the quilts are all so impressive and of such high quality.
I also agree that the Museum presented the quilts beautifully.
Brenda Gael Smith says
Thanks for stopping by Jenny. What fun to have an art excursion with friends! It is so interesting to talk about what has intrigued and inspired you. Thanks for visiting the exhibition.