Congratulations, Leah, on getting two quilts into such prestigious exhibitions. Keep dancing!
Quilt National '17
Ruins 7
(180cm wide x 249cm high)
Artists Statement:
Ruins 7 is part of a series that explores what
happens to buildings when we stop using them, when we leave them behind. Glass
panes crack, water pipes burst, wind pulls at the fixtures and fittings. Rust
and moss stain the walls.
We stop using buildings for many reasons. This
piece references buildings and cities destroyed by war.
London, Dresden, Hiroshama, Lebanon, New York. Hate
and war destroys lives. It destroys buildings and tear apart cities. Do we
re-build? Or is the thought of burying that hate under new buildings too
painful? Should we allow nature to reclaim the buildings, to cover the ground,
to soothe the pain?
Techniques and Materials: Artists
own printed cotton fabrics: breakdown printing, and other surface design
techniques. Pieced, layered and machine quilted.
SAQA Layered Voices
Happy today?
(60cm wide x 389cm high)
Artists Statement:
Happy today? was created following a dark,
difficult period caring for a loved one with severe depression. Constantly
checking; asking ‘Are you OK?’, ‘How do you feel?’. Driven by my need
for reassurance, my fear of the unthinkable. Burying my own feelings
from him. From others. From myself. Stressful, exhausting days and nights.
Occasional bitter sweet moments of joy followed by guilt. Gallows humour
breaking through on the darkest of days.
Happy today? can be suspended from the ceiling and
viewed from both sides or hung on a wall revealing only the pieced side. The
piece billows and pleats on the floor hiding parts, hiding layers of emotion.
Techniques and Materials: Artists own printed cotton fabrics: breakdown
printing, screen printing and other surface design techniques. Double sided
pieced and whole-cloth construction, layered and stitched. Integral hanging
loop.
