I, of the Needle

Bundoora Homestead Art Centre 2018

This exhibition was a homage to the long, rich tradition of women imparting their wisdom and skills in these historically under-appreciated techniques and art forms. On display were photographs and key textile works from the family archive that informed the large scale digitally-printed banners honouring my two grandmothers and my mother, and new small-scale embroideries. 

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'Portrait of My Paternal Grandmother, Frances', digital print satin banner

'Portrait of My Paternal Grandmother, Frances', digital print satin banner

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Photo of Sue Musgrove (my mother), 1988

Photo of Sue Musgrove (my mother), 1988

'Portrait of My Mother, Susan', digital print satin banner

'Portrait of My Mother, Susan', digital print satin banner

Detail of Betty's baby blanket (made by Sue Musgrove 1983)

Detail of Betty's baby blanket (made by Sue Musgrove 1983)

Portrait of Frances Musgrove Circa 1940s

Portrait of Frances Musgrove Circa 1940s

Detail 'Portrait of My Paternal Grandmother, Frances', digital print satin banner

Detail 'Portrait of My Paternal Grandmother, Frances', digital print satin banner

Portrait of Dorothy Turier Circa 1940s

Portrait of Dorothy Turier Circa 1940s

'Portrait of My Maternal Grandmother, Dorothy', digital print satin banner

'Portrait of My Maternal Grandmother, Dorothy', digital print satin banner

Detail 'Portrait of My Maternal Grandmother, Dorothy'

Detail 'Portrait of My Maternal Grandmother, Dorothy'

Child's jumper made by Dorothy Turier

Child's jumper made by Dorothy Turier

Detail 'Portrait of My Maternal Grandmother, Dorothy'

Detail 'Portrait of My Maternal Grandmother, Dorothy'

Unfinished patchwork by Dorothy Turier

Unfinished patchwork by Dorothy Turier

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Detail 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' embroidery

Detail 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' embroidery

Detail 'Girls, Girls Get that Cash' embroidery

Detail 'Girls, Girls Get that Cash' embroidery

Detail 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' embroidery

Detail 'Pin the Tail on the Donkey' embroidery

Detail 'Patron Saint of Juggling Modern Life' embroidery

Detail 'Patron Saint of Juggling Modern Life' embroidery

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Detail 'Not Your Knitting Nancy' embroidery

Detail 'Not Your Knitting Nancy' embroidery

Crazy-patch Chatelaine by Sue Musgrove circa 1995

Crazy-patch Chatelaine by Sue Musgrove circa 1995

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Doilies and Christening gown made by Dorothy Turier and Frances Musgrove

Doilies and Christening gown made by Dorothy Turier and Frances Musgrove

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Detail Betty's baby blanket (made by Sue Musgrove 1983)

Detail Betty's baby blanket (made by Sue Musgrove 1983)

'Jimmy' Dorothy's childhood toy, made by her Godmother

'Jimmy' Dorothy's childhood toy, made by her Godmother

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'Jimmy's Story' hand-written letter from Sue Musgrove

'Jimmy's Story' hand-written letter from Sue Musgrove

Photography credit: Redouane Caouki of RED1 Studio