Making the Australian Quilt: 1800-1950

Australia's rich quilt heritage, resplendent with imagery of native flora and fauna, early coats of arms and motifs of daily colonial life, will be revealed in Making the Australian Quilt: 1800–1950.

In an Australian exclusive, the exhibition will bring together more than 80 stunning quilts, coverlets and patchwork fashion garments, as well as examples of intricate quilting techniques.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, -Making the Australian Quilt will uncover remarkable personal stories of Australian character, ingenuity and thriftiness through the lens of our nation's quilting legacy. Showcasing important works from public and private collections across the country, the exhibition will provide an insight into the skills and technical virtuosity of these women, and men, whose works chronicle the history of Australia, stitch by stitch.'

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Exploring Australian Quilt Making Symposium

Sat 23 Jul, 10am-4pm

Speakers include Dr Annette Gero, exhibition co-curator and quilt historian; Dr Leslie Levy, Executive Director, Quilt Study Center and Museum, Nebraska, US; Margaret Rolfe, quiltmaker and author; Lucas Grogan, artist; Crystal McGann, Project48; Linden Vine, Project48; and, Katie Somerville, Senior Curator, Fashion and Textiles, NGV

Cost $28 M / $35 A / $30 C, includes exhibition admission

Venue Clemenger BBDO Auditorium, NGV International

Curator's Perspective

Sun 24 Jul, 11am, Katie Somerville, Senior Curator, Fashion and Textiles, NGV

Sun 24 Jul, 2pm, Dr Annette Gero, exhibition co-curator and quilt historian

Cost Exhibition admission

Venue Exhibition space, NGV Australia

Common Threads: Social Stitching

Sun 24 Jul, 1pm-3pm, Sat 22 Oct, 10am – 1pm and Sat 6 Nov, 1pm – 3pm

Celebrate opening weekend with a drop-by social stitching session with contemporary artist and maker Shuh Lee. Shuh Lee is a Melbourne based artist and maker behind the label 'shuh.' With a fashion background, Lee has a love for hand stitching techniques and this is at the core of her practice. Her work combines art and craft, and re-purposing material objects into something usable, wearable and fun.

Cost Free

Venue Foyer, Level 3, NGV Australia