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A
platform
for
contemporary
art

19 January 1990 —
25 January 1990

Commonwealth Quilt

Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (installation view)
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (detail)
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (detail)
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (detail)
Luseanne Koloi, Tapa, Ufiufi - Mohenga, double-sided tapa, 2500mm x 2490mm
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (installation view)
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (installation view)
Commonwealth Quilt, 1990 (installation view)
Margaret Maguire, Bend Don
Toi Te Rito Maihi
Pat Britten, Flower Quilt, 1990, cotton patchwork applique, 2620mm x 2320 mm
Pearl Ormsby, Korowai, 1990 (detail), cloak, pheasant feathers, 1100mm x 1145mm
Tai

/

In 1987 the City of Auckland, host to the 1990 Commonwealth Games, was presented with a quilt made by women during the celebrations accompanying the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

Auckland has carried on the tradition by making a quilt to represent friendship and will present it to the next host city, Victoria, Canada of the 1994 Commonwealth Games.

Over a three year period the quilt project has been co-ordinated by Joan Caulfield. The quilt design was produced by Carole Shepheard and other artists were invited to design elements of the quilt including Toi Te Rito Mahi and Luseanne Koloi. 

Members of the Auckland Patchwork and Quilters Guild and the Embroiderers Guild also agreed to become involved with the working of the quilt. 

Thus was begun a major collaborative work involving Māori, Pakeha, and Pacific island women to produce this unique piece of fabric art.

Also on display in the exhibition is the Edinburgh Quilt gifted to Auckland City and the origin of the tradition.

Highlighting the techniques used in the making of the quilt will be a display of traditional and contemporary forms of tapa cloth, Māori weaving, tivaevae, and patchwork and embroidery by the women directly involved in making the quilt.

Press

→ Quilt design reflects cultures, The Settler, 01-02-1990
→ Quilt gifts keep tradition, Auckland Star, 1990
→ Quilt reflects landscape, Eastern Courier, 24-01-1990
→ Quilts prove real winners, New Zealand Herald, 01-01-1990
→ Toi's no ordinary storyteller, North Shore Times Advertiser, 16-01-1990
→ Commonwealth quilt display at Pakuranga, Auckland Star, 18-01-1990
→ Quilt a pleaser, Eastern Courier, 21-02-1990
→ Gallery clinches major 1990 quilt exhibition, Howick & Pakuranga Times, 07-08-1989

Ephemera

→ Commonwealth Quilt, 1990, exhibition poster

All exhibitions are currently offsite due to disruptions caused by the Pakuranga Eastern Busway construction. The building remains open for classes and other activities. 21 William Roberts Road, Pakuranga, is the best address to enter into navigation apps to guide you to the free parking at our door.

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