-
Owner:
Hon Barbara Baker Governor of Tasmania -
Location:
Government House, 7 Lower Domain Road Hobart Tasmania 7000 Australia -
Maker:
Lynne Hargreaves -
Pattern:
Pictorial -
Pattern:
Contemporary -
Dimensions:
Height: 82cm
Width: 97cm
History
Created 2024 Tasmania, shown at Island Quilts 2024 (Tasmanian Quilting Guild members exhibition).
The work is a departure from the artist’s main body of work which has focus on the landscape.
The quilt is part of a parallel series currently experimenting with portraiture combining thread painting with traditional quilt piecing. The subject, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC is a remarkable and accomplished woman and remarkable women should be celebrated. The portrait speaks to her generous engagement with the Tasmanian Quilting Guild whilst acknowledging the gravitas of the role.
Description
The work is constructed predominantly in cotton fabric with a bamboo batting layer. The panel to left of the work is traditionally pieced using the Log Cabin block pattern. Block elements are migrated to and mirrored on the right to balance out the design. The predominantly monochrome palette coupled with metallic fabrics, threads and cypher presents elements of formality and pageantry. The central panel forms the body of the portrait with the red hair a focal point.
A digitally manipulated photograph was printed onto the fabric acting as an under-painting forming the basis for thread painting using a domestic sewing machine. Free-motion stitching, where the needle and thread are used in a pencil like fashion, defines and draws the facial contours and hair. Multiple colours of threads are used as the portrait is built up in layers.
The background and log cabin piecing are similarly worked and quilted with free-motion machine sewing. The letters H E (Her Excellency) are raised in high relief using trapunto, a method of quilting that creates a 3D effect by adding extra stuffing or batting. Finally, details are highlighted and embroidered with seed stitch using metallic perle cotton.
The quilt is faced rather than bound with protruding geometric, pennant like motifs.
Acknowledgements
Lynne Hargreaves - source photography, design and execution.
Photographer Aaron Spurr
