Quilt collective unveils exhibition

THE Millicent Gallery is proud to present Between Black and White: An Exploration of Pure Colour, a SAQA-Oceania-Sturt Pea Pod exhibition opened on Friday as part of the Geltwood Festival weekend.

Geltwood is a festival celebrating textile arts through exhibitions, workshops and events spanning traditional and contemporary fibre practice.

Formed in 2024, the SAQA-Oceania-Sturt Pea Pod is a collective of South Australian-connected textile artists united by their passion for creating innovative, wall-hung art quilts and developing professional practice.

All 21 members are affiliated with the international Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA), and the group includes students, emerging artists and established practitioners, many with national and international recognition.

The exhibition features 24 striking monochrome art quilts, each exploring the depth and complexity of a single colour. Inspired by a colour system developed by Joen Wolfrom, each artist selected one of 24 hues and worked exclusively within its tonal range, using shades and tints while deliberately excluding pure black and white.

Installed as a flowing sequence across the gallery walls, the works move through the full spectrum of colour, creating a visually cohesive yet diverse experience.

From bold, saturated compositions to subtle tonal studies, each piece reflects the individual artist’s techniques, interests and creative voice.

Working within defined parameters—uniform portrait orientation and consistent dimensions (33 cm x 83 cm)—artists were challenged to explore their chosen colour in depth while maintaining a unified presentation.

The resulting exhibition highlights both technical skill and creative innovation, ranging from abstract expression to nature-inspired themes.

Complementing this exhibition, the Millicent Gallery will also present a collection of Geltwood Quilts, along with Geltwood Arising, a body of work by members of the Millicent Art Group, celebrating the ongoing tradition and contemporary evolution of quilting in the region.

The exhibition was officially opened by internationally respected textile artist Irene Blanck, who was also a guest speaker at the Geltwood Convention on Monday.

SAQA-Oceania-Sturt Pea Pod convenor and participating artist Zara Zannettino also attended.

Participating Artists:Christine Beardsley, Julie Blake, Bronwyn Cant, Raelene Draheim, Stephanie Eland, Heather Ford, Suzanne Gummow, Julie Haddrick, Marette Hancox, Ann Head, Sue Knuckey, Ros McDougall, Sue Morley, Nola Pearce, Julie-Anne Rogers, Lisa Scarfe, Linda Steele, Catherine Summers, Tania Tanti, Mary Williams and Zara Zannettino.