One finds a quilt. It has no story. One looks at the fabric. One looks at how it was made. One looks at the imagery.

Quilts tell us extraordinary stories. Through them we might bear witness the marriage of King George III; America's emancipation in the War of Independence; a family's immigration from Prussia to Australia; or even the first giraffes seen in Europe. Some were created by Australian soldiers returning from war; some imitate renowned 18th-century artwork. One quilt's story even revolves around a scandalous theft from a Russian Princess, betrothed to Queen Victoria's third son! The fascinating stories woven into quilts provides glimpses into the times and places that they represent.

In this talk, Dr Annette Gero shares insights into the stories behind the fabulous textiles which she has discovered and documented over the last two decades. Sweeping across continents and centuries, this talk will also cast light upon a convict quilt which hold particular relevance to Australia.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr Annette Gero, one of Australia's leading quilt historians, has been documenting and collecting quilts since 1982. She has travelled across Australia giving lectures, curating exhibitions and documenting quilts in private homes and public collections. In 1986 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts (London) in recognition of her work on Australian quilt history. Dr Gero has published five books, putting Australian and European quilt culture on the world map.

Dr Gero is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Quilt Museum, USA; Founder and Patron of the Sydney Quilt Study Group; and Past President of the Quilt Study Group of Australia. Her contribution to the history of Australian quilting has been documented in the Archives of the National Library of Australia, Canberra. She has exhibited quilts and lectured throughout Australia and internationally at the Musee De L'impression Sur Etoffes, Mulhouse France; the Musee des Traditions et Arts, Normandy, France; the International Quilt Show, Houston, USA; the European Quilt Symposium, Alsace, France; the Museum Europäischer Kulturen, Berlin, Germany; and the American Folk Art Museum in New York.

Ticket includes one beverage on arrival. No entry to Quilts: The Fabric of War 1760–1900

Limited parking available on-site.

Wheelchair accessible.

Banner image detail: The Intellect and Valour of Great Britain, made in London (with elements made in Bohemia) c. 1870, wool, embroidery. The Annette Gero Collection.