Ozquilt Network Inc

Australia's organisation for art quilters

Join or Renew Today!

Art Quilt Australia

Art Quilt Australia , including Expressions: the Wool Quilt Prize, is a biennial juried exhibition open to textile artists resident in Australia and New Zealand, and OZQN members worldwide. OZQN defines a quilt as a stitched layered textile incorporating any material and employing any technique. The National Wool Museum defines a wool quilt in a similar manner but it must be composed predominantly of wool.

Art Quilt Australia 2021 seeks to promote excellence and originality in contemporary art quilts in Australia. Works will be assessed in terms of originality, composition, content and execution by a jury of acknowledged experts: Lisa Call, Julie Ryder and Bronwyn Coulston.

There will be over $6000 in prizes, comprising:

  • $3000 for Expressions: the Wool Quilt Prize, for a wool quilt. The winning quilt is acquired by the National Wool Museum for its permanent collection;
  • $3000 for the non-acquisitive OZQN Award of Excellence, which is open to all quilts; and
  • $500 awards for Highly Commended in both categories.

Art Quilt Australia 2021 will be on exhibition at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery at Nowra NSW from 12 June until 3 July 2021, followed by the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum at Lilydale, Victoria from 7 August until 31 October 2021.

Entries close at 5pm (Perth time) on Friday 30 April 2021. Submission is via the online entry form only.

Key Dates 

  • 1 February 2021: Online entry opens 
  • 30 April 2021:  Deadline for online entries (5pm Perth time)
  • 16 May 2021: Notification of selection
  • 25 May-1 June 2021: Delivery of work to Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra, NSW by Australia Post
  • Delivery of work to Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra, NSW by Australia Post
  • 12 June 2021: Exhibition opens 2.00pm. Opening event and award of prizes
  • 3 July 2021: Exhibition closes at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery
  • 7 August 2021: Exhibition opens Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, Lilydale, Victoria
  • 31 October 2021: Exhibition closes at Yarra Ranges Regional Museum
  • 30 November 2021: Latest date for return of work from Yarra Ranges Regional Museum

Jury

Lisa Call (Artist)

Lisa Call’s contemporary textile paintings explore pattern, structure and human desire for connection. The influence of her extensive background in computer science can also be spotted in her abstract geometric designs. In 2015, Lisa moved to the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand from Denver, Colorado.

Lisa exhibits her artwork in both solo and group shows across the globe. Previous museum exhibits include the Danforth Museum of Art in Massachusetts, The Mint Museum of Craft + Design in North Carolina and The Atlantic Center in Florida. Her textile paintings are included in numerous public and private collections, including the University Hospitals in Cleveland and the University of Pennsylvania. Her work is represented by galleries in New Zealand and Philadelphia.

Julie Ryder (Artist)

Julie Ryder is a textile designer who has gained international recognition for her work. Originally trained in science, she retrained as a textile designer in 1990, and completed an MA in Visual Arts (Textiles) from the ANU in 2004. She has taught in tertiary institutions, community organizations and workshops for nearly 30 years and specializes in screen-printing, natural dyeing and handstitching.

Julie has been the recipient of many awards, grants, commissions and residencies and her work is included in the collections of the NGA, NGV, NMA, MAAS, AGSA, BRAG, CSIRO, ANBG, Tamworth Regional Gallery, Megalo Archives, RMIT Archives.

Bronwyn Coulston (Curator and educator)

Bronwyn Coulston is passionate about engaging visitors in conversations through art, while also appreciating the artworks as expressions of skill and beauty. She holds a Masters in Museum and Gallery Studies and has worked in the cultural sector for more than 15 years. As Manager – Arts and Culture with Shoalhaven City Council she leads a small but dynamic team to deliver a wide range of exhibitions and activities at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery.

The Art Quilt Australia exhibition at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery will be a great opportunity to show how textile and quilting practises combine both traditional and modern techniques to uncover stories and social issues. As a selector Bronwyn will be looking for well resolved works that draw the viewer in and give some insight to the artist. Outside of work, Bronwyn attempts to wrangle two active girls and find time for cooking, crochet, reading and sport.