Fragments of Work: Stitches in Gold Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, Qld, 8 August -16 September 2008

摘要

My work is about fragments, the capturing of memories using gold thread in hand embroidery to re-create "fancy work" designs. This exhibition is dedicated to my mother, Olive, who inspired my love of embroidery and, before she died last year, shared with me her memories of the joy of fancy work. For some time I have been interested in the value of the "fancy work" embroidery in the lives of country women in Australia, particularly relating to my female relatives as their work is first-hand to me. I believe that this embroidery fulfilled women's creative spirit as well as adding decoration to their homes. Sharing the 'work' over afternoon tea and ordering designs from the city catalogues provided women with experiences of joy and anticipation. My inspiration comes from the work of both of my grandmothers, Hilda and Muriel; my mother, Olive; and my aunt, Laura. I now own pieces of their work which remind me of the joy they had in the stitching. This was "work" that was done for pleasure, different from the mending and sewing.