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Q: How do you make a statement about an organisation?
A: Create an exhibition that shows its character, its traditions and
aspirations. Then put it in a superb 15th century guildhall in a major
tourist destination for impact!
When Helen Joseph was invited to curate the opening exhibition in St Anthony’s Hall, to give The Guild’s own curator time for settling into the new building, her brief was challenging. On one level she was being asked to make a strong statement announcing The Guild’s arrival in York, saying, "Here we are and this is what we are about". On another level, she was being asked to build a bridge that showed the tremendous leap forward and changes that have marked quiltmaking over the centuries – and especially in the last 30 years. Thus Quilts in Time: Journey from Bed to Wall, as the title she chose for the opening exhibition.
Helen’s tenure at the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead, is especially well known to quiltmakers in the north. As former Keeper of Contemporary Craft, she made significant additions to that Gallery’s contemporary craft collection of ceramics, glass, metal, textiles, wood and furniture and jewellery. She was a member of the Crafts Council Purchasing Advisory Panel for three years, and at one time a consultant to the Opus School of Textiles. She has also acted as selector and judge for textile exhibitions on more than one occasion and while at Shipley, curated a number of memorable quilt exhibitions, including The Art of the Quilt in 2001; New International Quilts in 2004 and The Flower Bed in 2006. In recognition of those exhibitions and especially her contribution to the contemporary art quilt movement, Helen was awarded an Honorary Guild membership in 2004. More recently she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Around two-thirds of the quilts on display in the opening exhibition will be from The Guild’s own collections while the remainder of items on show will be borrowed from contemporary quiltmakers including artists like Pauline Burbidge. Throughout the selection process, Helen has opted for strong graphic impact. As a result, visitors will be treated to favourite collection items like the complex Mrs Billings coverlet; the V for Victory quilt and the Kaleidoscope quilt made for a ‘bottom drawer’ as well as Michele Walker’s Fieldforce, acquired by The Guild in 2006. The iconic 1718 silk patchwork coverlet will also have a rare outing.
"Taking advantage of the wonderful Guild Heritage Collection, I was able to select stunning examples of historic quilts to link with fine examples of contemporary art quilts," she commented. "The combination of past and present design skills alongside technological virtuosity will undoubtedly demonstrate the continuous development of quiltmaking through centuries and offer an imaginative and lively exhibition."
In adopting an Exhibition Policy for the new Museum and Gallery in St Anthony’s Hall, The Guild trustees have recognised the importance of expanding textile horizons by including frequent guest exhibitions – not only of quilts and related matters but textile work from other disciplines and museums. The first of these is the exhibition from the University of Nebraska. Other collaborative and guest exhibitions are in the pipeline. It is intended that there will be a programme of regularly changing exhibitions in both the Great Hall and Bailey Gallery.
Quilts in Time: Journey from Bed to Wall is being funded by the Arts Council England.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2008 issue of The Quilter, Journal Nº 114. |
