Embroiderers Guild NSW exhibition

On Friday I went to the opening of the exhibition of the NSW Embroiderers Guild. It was an excellent exhibition, with an extremely wide range of embroideries on display.

The exhibition was opened by Claudia Chan Shaw, author of “Collectomania” and previous presenter on ABC’s “Collectors” TV show. Claudia was an excellent choice for speaker as she was interesting and engaging. She told us how when her grandparents left Shanghai many many years ago, her grandfather tied a silk cord around his waist, and then tied the other end around her grandmother’s waist. This was so that in the rush to depart with so many others, they would not be separated. They took just two things with them as they left: Claudia’s mother (very young) and a precious embroidery.

Claudia admitted that her own embroidery attempts are not something that could ever be on display at an exhibition, but as she toured the exhibition, you could see that she was genuinely interested in what was on display. She was drawn in by the embroidery, even if she was not able to do it herself!

Claudia Chan Shaw opening the Embroiderers Guild NSW exhibition.

Also at the opening, The Embroiderers’ Guild NSW 2015 Calendar was launched. This is the calendar which I have been working on this year. You can call the guild (02 9743 2501) to purchase copies which can be posted to you. The calendar was well received, with everyone saying that it was priced way too low ($13 plus postage). Calendars of similar quality sell for more than double that. So you’re getting a bargain, and the funds received support the guild’s building fund which is a very worthwhile cause!

It was lovely to see, in amongst the many exhibits, some of my designs. Audrey B had beautifully worked the Portuguese Whitework sampler from Portuguese Whitework: Bullion Embroidery from Guimarães, and Lesley H had done a wonderful job of my Merezhka Daisies Mat. Though not my designs, Clare M had two pieces in the exhibition which were based on and inspired by Mountmellick embroidery. Congratulations to all three ladies on your beautiful work.

My favourite two pieces in the exhibition would have to be Cathy J-C’s “Rainforest” and “Reef” embroideries. They were machine embroidery on black felt, in wonderfully saturated rayon threads. They depicted tendrilly leaves and beautiful undersea corals(?) respectively. I’d happily mind them at my house for Cathy! I would have taken photos to show you, but photography was not allowed. Cathy also had a display of the process for one of the embroideries she is currently working on. It had the partially worked embroidery, and supporting visual material, and notes on the process she uses to create her embroideries. It was very interesting to see and read.

The exhibition ran all weekend, but is now over for another year. The next one will be in 2 years time. However, you can still purchase your copy of the calendar – a grey Christmas or other special occasion gift! Mine is already up on the wall, waiting for the new year to start. I will enjoy having it to look at next year.