As a relatively new member of Aotearoa Quilters, the national quilting group in New Zealand, I decided to participate in their annual colour challenge and enhance my sense of belonging. For 2020, the challenge colour is AQUA.
I enjoy colour challenges because, while you are constrained by palette, there are no rules regarding the meaning or content of the work. This enabled me to continue working on my new Acuity series. Back in February, which seems so long ago, I pulled out my turquoise aqua? scraps and played that game of trying to make a work to a prescribed size – in this case, 16x12in (HxW).
The rules require a sleeve and a strip of hook velcro. Rather than having a loose bit of loop velcro that can get lost, I did a combined sleeve with velcro and in-built protective cover. See my Combined Hanging Sleeve & Velcro Strip tutorial
Then I realised that I had applied the sleeve upside down. Nevermind! Here is the completed work: Acuity #4: Clarity
Acuity #4: Clarity 16x12in (40x30cm)
Eyes are remarkable and powerful organs but there are many ways of seeing. With self-knowledge comes clarity of vision.
The Aotearoa Quilters opening exhibition will be held jointly with the Taupo Quiltmakers exhibition at the Great Lakes Centre, Taupo, New Zealand from 2-4 October 2020 (10am to 4pm). In the meantime, you can view all of the entries in the online AQUA Gallery.
Acuity Series
I started the Acuity series in conjunction with curating Vision 2020 and Wonder of Eyes: Eyes of Wonder . The first four works were completed in early 2020. Then along came COVID-19. The meaning of the work pivoted with the pandemic and deepened. I look forward to sharing more works from this series.