New Quilts for Alberton Beds
From 13-27 September, Modern quilters will be staging an artistic intervention at Mt Albert's historic Alberton house, remaking its old beds with contemporary colours and bold geometric patterns.
New Quilts for Alberton Beds is an exhibition of Modern quilts created by the members of Pt. Chevalier's Monday Modern Quilt Group. These contemporary quilts will offer a fresh perspective on the tradition of quilt-making in the historic setting of Mt Albert's Alberton House, built in 1863.
Examples of their colourful works created through experimentation with space, colour, revision and improvisation will be installed in selected rooms throughout the house. As well as drawing connections between 19th Century and contemporary textiles and crafts, the new pieces in each room 'make-over' will comment on changing tastes in interior design where trends for colours and patterns go in and out of style. The new additions compliment or jar with pre-existing décor schemes and some of Alberton's motifs - its Oriental rugs, Victorian paisley and William Morris print wallpapers - find echoes the modern patchwork pieces.
In the past quilts were often produced out of necessity. Due to the scarcity of fabric, fragments of garments were kept and recycled. This loads each piece with sentimental value for its connection to the original textiles as well to its maker whose hand is visible in its design.
Quilts also have a traditional commemorative function (produced for glory boxes and new babies across generations) and are common vehicles for storytelling thanks to their bold pictorial elements. These aspects made patchwork ideal for the social commentary of one of the 20th Century's most famous memorial artworks, the AIDS Memorial Quilt in 1987.
The current wave of quilters who identify their work as Modern celebrate this heritage and employ traditional techniques while practising innovation with materials and subjects. The movement is an international one linked to changes in the fabric industry, the arrival of digital cameras and the rise of social media. Melanie Hastings, one of the organisers of Alberton's exhibition says 'new quilters may not know anyone else who quilts... many quilters will draw inspiration, motivation and enthusiasm from blogs and web communities like Flickr and Pinterest'. Modern quilts are frequently art pieces which reach wide audiences thanks to these online platforms.
Whether functional or decorative, rustic beauty and the love and labour that is traced the very form of the quilt make it an object to be treasured.
The Monday Modern Quilter's show will be on display at Alberton from the 13-27 September. On Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 September members will be on-site in the ballroom demonstrating quilting techniques and aspects of design, as part of Auckland's Heritage Festival. These free interactive sessions will be held at 2-4pm on both days.
Entry: $10 adult, children free.
Open Wednesday-Sunday