Creative Construction Quilt Symposium 2017: The Exhibitions Part 1

The New Zealand national quilt symposium held in Christchurch in October was a visual feast.  Unfortunately I didn't get to see all of the exhibitions just the exhibitions held at St Andrew's College and at the Arts Centre.  The main open exhibition was held in the Great Hall at the recently re-opened Christchurch Arts Centre.  Part 2 will contain my selection from the quilts displayed at St Andrew's College.

The environment of the Arts Centre was as inspiring as the quilts. It was so wonderful to see those parts of the Arts Centre that have been restored since the 2011 earthquake.

The Great Hall at the Arts Centre

The Great Hall

The repaired and the work in progress

These quilts are all from the "Open" section - any quilt made since 1 February 2015.  Difficult to choose a single favourite from these - Ottoman Odyssey, Blossom Song and Breaking Waves are all contenders for different reasons.

Best in Show (Best Piecing Winner) - Fly by Donna Ward (147 x 147 cm)

Artist's statement - Inspiration for Fly was taken from some beautiful Alison Glass fabrics and my love for foundation paper piecing, the New York Beauty block and free motion quilting.  This quilt literally just grew wings and flew.

Aotearoa Quilts on Tour Merit - Metamorphosis by Donna Ward (75 x 78 cm)

Artist's statement - Metamorphosis is free motion machine quilted on silk fabric with designs inspired from the Pacific.

Judges Choice (Marianne Hargreaves) - The Sultan's Jacket by Anna Williams (68 x 80 cm)

Artist's statement - Inspired by the patterns used on old Turkish clothing during a visit to Istanbul.

Best Applique Winner - Ottoman Odyssey by Valda Sutton (96 x 206 cm)

Art Winner - Blossom Song by Ruth de Vos (155 x 151 cm)

Landscape / Pictorial Merit - Breaking Waves by Dianne Southey (88 x 167 cm)

Modern Winner - Year of the Cat by Tracy Carew (188 x 188 cm)

Traditional Merit & Best Use of Quilting Merit - Red Radiant by Colleen Burr (200 x 202 cm)

You could definitely tell that this piece was inspired by Sharon Schamber with the coiled wire edges and lattice strips attaching the centre panel to the borders.

Traditional Winner - Ties that Bind by Jeanie O'Sullivan (229 x 229 cm)

Power of 2 Winner - Many Kisses by Sheryl Anicich and Debra DeLorenzo (124 x 186 cm)

Artist's statement - This quilt was the result of a play day Debra and I had.

Memory by Janet Lambarth (90 x 60 cm)

Artist's statement - The stitching of this piece was very intuitive and reflective and I found myself thinking of the people gone before who had worn these items. The finished piece has taken on the character and shape imposed by the hand stitching.

Off World by Debra DeLorenzo (110 x 116 cm)

Artist's statement - Developing the strata series, by adding raw edge applique motifs on top, playing with horizontal lines, and shadows to create landscapes.

Off the Floor #2 by Gael O'Donnell

Water's Edge by Anne Groufsky (100 x 105 cm)

Artist's statement - The shells at the local beach influenced my choice of colour and line.

I Have a Fabric Problem II by Anne Reid (118 x 118 cm)

Artist's statement - I cut a 2.5" square of every fabric I purchased during 2014.  Believe it or not this is me trying to limit my fabric shopping.

City Lights by Susanne Jensen (68 x 127 cm)

Artist's statement - The inspiration for this quilt came after a dying class where one of my friends dyed a beautiful piece of red fabric.