​Oceania: Distance and Diversity, a focus on Quilts

​Oceania: Distance and Diversity is a juried exhibition of 29 art quilts made by members of the Studio Art quilt Associates (SAQA) Oceania region.

This exhibition explores the many interpretations of either distance, or diversity, or both. This theme is easily engaged with by the public and the artwork is diverse, challenging the boundaries of quilting and encouraging conversation and dialogue about the use of quilting as an art form.

The organisation
SAQA is a leading non-profit advocacy group for art quilts that was established in the USA in 1989 by an initial group of 50 artists. It now has over 3,400 members with 140 members in the Oceania Region. This region is made up of Australia, New Zealand and expatriate members. Further information about SAQA can be found at www.saqa.com

The artists
Within the 29 works selected by the jurors are several high-profile quilt artists from Australia and New Zealand, who have works in international collections and who have won prestigious prizes in global art quilt events. There are also SAQA members from our region who have used the theme as an introduction into this wider art quilt world.
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Jurors’ comments
​Two independent and well-respected international jurors, Norma Slabbert (NZ) and Marth Wolfe (USA), both commented on the strong sense of place shown in the selected works.
“Some quilts show strong demographic diversity which is tied to our identities of origin. Other quilts reflect diversity of thinking, life, and cultural experience. The collection is unmistakably from the Australasian region of Oceania. Some of the quilts show the struggle, navigation, and bridge building – to settle and find a place in Oceania. Others show a deep love and respect for the land.” Norma Slabbert

“I appreciated the thoughtful stories and thought-provoking ideas that accompanied each piece, expanding my knowledge and understanding of what Oceania means to its artist residents.” Martha Wolfe

This is SAQA Oceania’s second juried touring exhibition. Artist members were challenged to address the exhibition theme of Distance and/or Diversity within a size restriction of 60cm(w) x 40cm(h). Art quilts were selected by the jurors to form a cohesive exhibition based on the artists’ interpretation of the theme.