Textiles and paintings in Oxford

Last week, I went on a trip to Oxford with three quilter friends to see an exhibition of quilts from Hawaii entitled ‘Hawaii Ma uka to Ma kai’.

Ma uka to Ma kai exhibition at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford

Click on this link to exhibition on the Museum website: https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/event/ma-uka-to-ma-kai to see an explanation of the Hawaiian understanding of the different elements of the natural environment – and how these were portrayed in the quilts.

The technique for making the quilts is a little like the craft activity you might have tried as a child: folding a square of paper either into four or into eight and then cutting into the folds, so that when you open the paper out, you have created a snowflake pattern. The complex cut shapes for the quilts in this case included leaves, flowers, fish, octopi and other natural forms. The cut shape is appliqued onto the background fabric and then the background is quilted in lines which echo the shapes. All the applique seemed to be done by hand, but there were examples of both machine-quilting and hand-quilting for the echo-quilting on the background which was immaculate in every case. It is a unique and very skilful form of quilt-making. The quilts displayed – all modern examples – used vibrant colours and strong contrasts, such as orange on yellow, white on aqua blue, forest green on yellow. My favourite quilt included flowers added to the green leaves on the surface by means of many orangey-red threads and tiny beads. It is called Ōhi’a Lehua and was quilted by Susie Sugi and designed by John Serrao. You can see the quilt by clicking the link above.

The second part of our visit took us to The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford where we enjoyed looking at the treasures in the Textiles section of the Museum.

The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, photo by Amanda Jane Ogden

Here, we saw examples of intricately embroidered children’s coats from China, seventeenth-century raised embroidery from Britain and elaborate samplers of lace-making amongst other treasures. Click the link here to see some of the wonderful exhibits in this collection: https://www.ashmolean.org/textiles-gallery

In the 19th-century art galleries of the museum, I found a beautiful painting by Gwen John, entitled ‘The Convalescent’ – a beautifully calm, quiet and composed portrait, in soft, subtle hues – you can see it with this link: https://www.ashmolean.org/collections-online#/item/ash-object-796000

I was also thrilled to see ‘Blue Roofs, Paris’ by Pablo Picasso in the collection (a work which was previously unknown to me). I recommend doing an online search to find an image of this – or better still, go to the Ashmolean yourself to see it!

Just a quick reminder that on Saturday 16th May (from 2-5pm) and Sunday 17th May (from 10am-4pm) my work for a City & Guilds Diploma will join that of other students of Textile Artist and Teacher Gillian Cooper at McLintock Hall, Balfron G63 0TT

There will be a range of work available to view, from both Certificate and Diploma students and I am told that tea and very good cake will also be available. Hope to meet you there – or at one of the other venues mentioned above.

Finally, just a quick reminder that my quilt pattern ‘Love Grows’ (third down on the right’ is in the current issue of Make Modern magazine.

'Love Grows' (third down on the right) in Make Modern issue 69 — ‘Love Grows’ (third down on the right) in Make Modern issue 69

As you may have heard (or seen in my post here) Make Modern is ceasing publication at the end of 2026. However, there is an option to buy an All-Access Pass. These are the details:

“The All-Access Pass gets you all 73 issues – 700+ patterns, expert tips, inspiring interviews, and endless ideas – in one digital package that’s yours to download and keep forever. No subscription. No ongoing fees. No missing out when we say goodbye.Every issue, quilty friend! That’s a whole lot of projects, columns, and articles to delight and inspire! The BEST patchwork rabbit hole you could ever go down. Trust us!”

For the All Access Pass, click here Please note, this is an Affiliate link, thank you.

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