Textile piece made by 32 people. Each patch is for a different endangered species, project initiated by artist Michele England

Threatened Species Collaborative Quilt

 

Textile is now on display at Wildbark (Mulligans Flat Nature Sanctuary visitor centre) alongside some of my mini ‘quilts’ made for the Remnants exhibition from 2018.

 

During 2023 I worked with Australian collaborators to make a patched quilt highlighting threatened species of the Australian National Territory (A.C.T.). The ‘quilt’ and corresponding book was presented to the ACT Government (Minister Vassarotti – Minster for the Environment) on September 7th in recognition of Threatened Species Day. Presentation and afternoon tea was be held at The Link, Gininderry where the quilt was displayed until December 2023. My thanks to Ginninderry and Tom Gray who wholeheartedly supported this project. Thanks also to Vinnies (Canberra and Goulburn) and The Green Shed for their generous donation of materials. Many thanks for the energy and creativity of all collaborators. Click here to view the species recognised in the quilt.

History of the Threatened Species Collaborative Quilt

In early March 2023 I ran a successful campaign to locate collaborators through social media. In late March all collaborators received a pack of fabrics, embellishments and instructions about their patch, species allocated and details about the project.

During April, May and June of 2023 collaborators made their patches. Also during this time I held Making Sessions in my studio to provide an avenue for communal activities (asking questions, swapping ideas and fabrics, etc). In July and August I pieced the patches together and made the final textile piece by adding padding, a backing and binding the edges. I also wrote a book about the project that was printed and added to the National Library of Australia digital collection. See a PDF of the book here (link coming soon)

All species are valuable in an ecology and many seem insignificant. It may only be after they are gone/ in few numbers that their valuable contribution is fully understood.
A solo exhibition Remnants, at CCAS Manuka in 2018, was the basis for this project's concept