Launching our 2024 program is an exhibition of reworked vintage quilts by Australia/USA artist Sebastian Di Mauro. Di Mauro’s choice of vintage quilts is deliberate. His tactile interventions seek to comment on the current political landscape in the United States, utilising this symbolic medium to encapsulate the complex tapestry of contemporary American society. Steeped in history and tradition, these meticulously crafted quilts act as both a homage to the nation’s heritage and a reflection of its present struggles and ultimate deterioration. The juxtaposition of different patterns and materials in the quilts symbolises the stark internal divisions, from political polarisation to racial disparities. The frayed edges and worn-out patches serve as poignant reminders of the challenges that persist.
Image caption: Artwork: Sebastian Di Mauro, Frayed (from the Collective Labour series), 2023, 178cm x 165cm, repurposed vintage quilts, wool felt, thread. Photo: Louis Lim. Courtesy of the artist and Onespace.
Louise Martin-Chew for In Review; How an Aussie remakes an American quilt
