The winner of the Golden Textures Contemporary Quilt Award was announced in Maryborough on Saturday 28 June. Sue de Vanny received the honour for her exquisitely detailed and layered fabric collage called Unguarded Moment.

The quilt reflects upon hidden beauty in nature, “depicting an echidna’s quiet journey,” according to the artist statement.

The announcement was made at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough, with a large gathering of people surrounded by the striking backdrop of the 19 finalist quilts.

Art Gallery Coordinator Helen Kaptein made a poignant connection between the nearby historic Maryborough Knitting Mill and Golden Textures, which is a national award, saying: “This is the perfect place for this award.”

Award Judge Linda Steele said it was a pleasure to see the quilts all together, in person.

“Many quilts here deserve a prize,” she said.

Explaining why Unguarded Moment was chosen for the prize, Ms Steele praised its colour, value and design and said: “The execution is sophisticated beyond a conventional quilt.”

The Highly Commended Award was presented to Jackie Goring for her highly textural Bunny Quilt, made using socks and pom poms.

Other interesting entries included a thought-provoking photographic quilt by Zina Sofer, which memorialised on the War Widow’s Housing Estate and its significance for women and the textile industry in the post-war 1950s.

Andi Herman’s entry was a bold and colourful vision against the white wall but its title, Before the Cancer, revealed a deeper meaning. Andi explained that some of the fabric used in the quilt had belonged to her mother, who the quilt depicts as a child.

While many of them looked very inviting on a cold day, these art quilts are designed to be hung on the wall and enjoy. The contemplative themes, innovative use of textiles and diverse interpretation of the idea of a ‘quilt’ has made the resulting exhibition a great conversation-starter. Take a friend and see the Golden Textures Contemporary Art Quilt Award, showing now until 12 October at Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Old Fire Station, 1 Neill Street Maryborough, details at: tinyurl.com/24tmvnma.

This article appeared in Tarrangower Times, 4 July 2025.
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