Threaded Histories: Embroidered Portraits with Natalie Wilson

Waverley library welcomes you to attend this fascinating talk on the history of telling stories with thread and needle.

This talk traces the evolution of stitched identities from antiquity to contemporary fine art. Discover how Nazca and Egyptian stitchers encoded status, and how the narrative scale of the Bayeux Tapestry reshaped historical commemoration.

We examine the revolutionary “needle-paintings” of Georgian artists Mary Knowles and Mary Linwood, alongside the avant-garde designs of Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. Finally, see how modern pioneers paved the way for contemporary artists to redefine portraiture today, proving the needle’s enduring power.

Mary Knowles (1733-1807), Self-portrait 1779, silk and wool embroidery, 89.2 x 84.5 cm framed, The Royal Collection

Julia Gutman, Head in the sky, feet on the ground 2023, oil, found textiles and embroidery on canvas, 198 x 213.6 cm, Winner Archibald Prize 2023, © the artist

About the speaker:

Natalie Wilson is a curator and historian specialising in Australian and Pacific art and culture. Natalie has a BA (Visual Arts) from City Art Institute and MA (Art History & Theory) from The University of Sydney. She was Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1998-2026 and now lectures in Australian art at The University of Sydney. Natalie has realised many curatorial projects over the past three decades, including exhibitions held at the AGNSW, SH Ervin Gallery, and National Library of Australia. Exhibitions include: Justin O’Brien: The sacred music of colour (2010), Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea Highlands (2014), Archie 100: A century of the Archibald Prize (2021-2024), and most recently, Wendy Sharpe: Spellbound (2024). She has published widely in Australia and internationally on Australian and Pacific art.