Guild
Guest Speaker: Susan Denton “Contemporary Design” 19 Mar 1988
Sadly I can’t remember this event – my mind is a total blank. However, I mention it to remind myself of the powerhouse effect that Susan Denton and Barbara Macey had on me in those early days. Their work was exciting, thoughtful and professionally constructed. It also sent out clear messages that textile art could be far more than simple reproductions of traditional works – if that’s what you wanted to do.
I had a lot of exploring to do in the quilting
world and I wasn’t sure I had even thought about developing “personal
style”. I was caught up in learning
techniques and perfecting my stitching.
As one does!
The internet makes it just so easy to study
other artists work. Links to Susan Denton’s work appear as listed: (I've just discovered that none of the links below are active anymore. I suppose it's now 2021 not 2012! Google may be as ever helpful in finding more about Susan Denton and Barbara Macey. It was after all, the beginning of the modern quilting world in Australia.)
If you are interested in discussion on developing your own artistic style, then creative journey offers some interesting links too. Let it be a start, a New Year’s resolution to find out more about your own contribution to the quilting world. Start a journal and thoroughly explore each aspect of discussion; don’t be put off by some of the fancy journals you see about today – just making notes can be enough. Visit a gallery and jot down your thoughts on a couple of artists pieces. Compare it to your own work. A bit of reflection never hurt anyone!
Sadly I can’t remember this event – my mind is a total blank. However, I mention it to remind myself of the powerhouse effect that Susan Denton and Barbara Macey had on me in those early days. Their work was exciting, thoughtful and professionally constructed. It also sent out clear messages that textile art could be far more than simple reproductions of traditional works – if that’s what you wanted to do.
 |
| My signed copy so I must have been there! |
- News article: Susan Denton’s work
- Art quilt: Susan Denton's membership so you can get an idea of her current work (Susan is no longer with this group)
- Exhibition photos courtesy of shiny: (blog post no longer available)
If you are interested in discussion on developing your own artistic style, then creative journey offers some interesting links too. Let it be a start, a New Year’s resolution to find out more about your own contribution to the quilting world. Start a journal and thoroughly explore each aspect of discussion; don’t be put off by some of the fancy journals you see about today – just making notes can be enough. Visit a gallery and jot down your thoughts on a couple of artists pieces. Compare it to your own work. A bit of reflection never hurt anyone!
A further Comment: 2023. Susan Denton and Barbara Macey's amazing talent and approach to the modern quilt genre were certainly well ahead of their time. Now some 35 years on, given we support both traditional and modern quilt guilds and a huge appreciation for textile art, we should be thankful for their pioneering spirit, leadership and encouragement in growing this textile art form.
