General News
8 February, 2024
“Hall of fame” exhibition opens
The Central Goldfields Art Gallery opened the Contemporary Art Quilts exhibition yesterday, with a “hall of fame” collection from the nationally celebrated Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Award. The art gallery runs the competition...
The Central Goldfields Art Gallery opened the Contemporary Art Quilts exhibition yesterday, with a “hall of fame” collection from the nationally celebrated Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Award.
The art gallery runs the competition biennially, with Sandra Champion winning in 2023, for her quilt inspired by the Pirates Bay region on Tasmania’s east coast, called ancient pathway 15.
Ms Champion’s work, alongside the other six previous winners, are currently on display for the ongoing showcase, as the victorious quilts have been purchased, and are now a part of the gallery’s private collection.
Central Goldfields Art Gallery coordinator Helen Kaptein said the exhibition is a celebration of the prestigious award.
“It is pretty special that we run a national art competition in Maryborough” she said.
“This is the first time that we have showcased all of the pervious winners all at once — it is like our hall of fame for the competition.
“We are becoming known nationally for our art quilts — we really hold the specialisation of having some of the best art quilts in the country dearly and it is something we are very proud of.
“It is a source of pride for the community that there is a national art award and that the Central Goldfields Art Gallery has a strong and growing reputation of championing this art form.”
Ms Kaptein said the purchasing of artwork helps bring a national identity to the gallery.
“Our collection is always growing with art quilts and works of art that have a relationship to our region,” she said.
“Maryborough has such a rich textile tradition so collecting in this medium makes a lot of sense.
“We call it an art quilt but it is [the artist’s] interests piercing together through their fabrics.
“Bringing together this collection helps build awareness for this work and an appreciation that art quilting is a diverse and rich artwork.”
The free showcase will be on display until Sunday, March 3.
Following on from the opening, the gallery is hosting a Valentine’s Day event in collaboration with their ongoing LOVE exhibition.
The free event will open at 3 pm with afternoon tea and a 20 piece choir for entertainment until 4.30 pm. Bookings are essential for the event.
For more information, visit centralgoldfieldsartgallery.com.au.