The New Quilt 2024 Preview: Emmanuelle Holmes & Others

On 14 October 2023 Australians voted in the Referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution through a Voice to Parliament. The Voice Quilt was created by Emmanuelle Holmes as a community textile project in the lead up to the election. It embodied the positivity, joy, colour and collaborative nature of working together with a common goal to support a yes vote in the Referendum. Emmanuelle’s work in mental health convinced her that the Voice would support better health outcomes for First Nations People by giving them more say and agency on matters that affect them. The idea grew organically after Emmanuelle, wondering whether she could express her support through her art, put out a call on social media, and to family and friends in July 2023. People were invited to make a quilt block of a certain size, using any textile technique and combination, whether that be piecework, machine or hand applique, fabric printing or dyeing, embroidery or collage. Sewing expertise was not a prerequisite and individual block design was determined by each maker. Emmanuelle received 25 blocks over a couple of months from 14 makers and textile artists living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The project was time limited so it could be completed by Referendum Day on October 14. Emmanuelle writes: "Despite the heartbreaking referendum outcome, the Voice Quilt stands as a permanent reminder of who we are today."

Plan an art excursion!  

The New Quilt 2024, on exhibition at Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor, NSW from 4 May to 23 June 2024. Official opening and awards ceremony from 6pm on Friday 3 May 2024. RSVP to the gallery. 

Gallery hours: Open 6 days a week Monday, Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm Saturday-Sunday 10am-3pm. Closed on Tuesday and public holidays.