Yvonne Chapman ‘True Blue Mates’ from the True Blue Exhibition
Quilters and quilt admirers, there’s an event coming to Melbourne next week you don’t want to miss. It’s the 11th annual Australasian Quilt Convention (AQC) Expo and Quilt Show, running Thursday April 16th through Sunday April 19th at the Royal Exhibition Building/Carlton Gardens.
This quilt by Yvonne Chapman is a stunning example of the amazing creations you’ll see at the four day event. Here’s an excerpt of a note sent to me by an AQC media representative.
This year’s AQC Quilt Show 2015 will feature a diverse collection of specially selected quilts showcasing fascinating techniques, vivid splashes of colour and innovative design from the full spectrum of amateur and professional quilters. Among the highly anticipated exhibits will be the two quilt challenges, ‘True Blue’ and the ‘Lest We Forget Quilt Challenge – 100 years, 100 quilts’. The seventh annual AQC challenge featuring 30 incredible interpretations of the theme ‘True Blue’ has sparked quilts ranging from iconic Australian themes, ‘Blue Heelers’ to shades of blue, images of depression, and political statements relating to the #I’ll Ride with You campaign.
A special 2015 exhibition will be 100 small challenge quilts commemorating one of Australia’s most defining times at Gallipoli with the ‘Lest We Forget Quilt Challenge – 100 Years, 100 Quilts’.
Continuing with the Aussie theme, visitors can meet the generous members of ‘Aussie Hero Quilts’ who make quilts and laundry bags to send to serving Australian servicemen and women. Another philanthropic group, ‘Quilts of Valour Australia’ will be showing visitors how they can help send quilts to wounded Australian Defence Force personnel, ex-ADF personnel suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and families of deceased soldiers.
Guest artist and veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force, Lucy Carroll has drawn on her passion for quilting and personal experience in the armed forces to create an impressive 12m long ‘The Gallipoli Quilt’. Comprising 10 panels, the quilt is a tribute to Australian history illustrating the story of an Australian soldier from his dockside departure to his arrival at Gallipoli Cove and is literally set to be one of the biggest attractions!
At just 15 years old, Ineka Voigt has quilted her way to Turkey, having been selected to represent Australia at the 2015 100 year Gallipoli landings Centenary ceremony. Her incredible winning quilt, ‘Spirit of Anzac’ which features an appliquéd Red Cross and painted poppy on a piece of 1908 tracing linen from her grandmother, will be on display at the AQC.
The best of Australia’s home grown talent will also be on show, with the ‘Best of Australia’ National Quilt Award to be selected from the winning ‘Best of Show’ quilts from every state and announced at the AQC Gala Dinner, alongside a collection of the annual AQC favourite, ‘Best of the Best’ which will give visitors a chance to see the best quilts from all annual state quilt guild shows.
Click to see the official event website Australasian Quilt Convention or the AQC Preview Magazine. And whether you go or not, be sure and follow all the quilt-y activities next week on Instagram using #AQC2015.
{Images provided by AQC and A Little Extra}
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