THE LOOK, THE FEEL, THE STATE OF MIND

Sunday 5 September to Saturday 25 September 2010

Quilting and embroidery by SUE RENN

About the artist

As a child Sue watched her grandmother sew magnificent ball gowns for her aunt using silk, satin, organza and chiffon in a myriad of colours.  This inspired a love of fine fabric and embellishment, and also a keen appreciation of colour.

When her three children were young, Sue joined a small embroidery group in Daylesford which was led by Margaret Leunig.  Margaret’s work at the time involved many different types of embroidery techniques which she used in constructing a series of panels for the Trades Hall in Melbourne.  The group encouraged conversation and experimentation, and Sue found the portability of embroidery an attractive way of working creatively with a minimum of materials that required little space.

Sue later returned to embroidery as a medium of self expression, and about ten years ago began making quilts with the guidance of Margaret McDonald.  Some of the work in this exhibition demonstrates the transposition of the skills and techniques used in quilt making to the art of embroidery.  This is evident for example in the use of batting to strengthen the backing silks, and the use of running stitches for definition and flow.

Sue’s interest in the use of colour and the effects of light on various fabrics is accentuated by the fine articles in this exhibition.