Stitched and Bound is The West Australian Quilters Association Inc. (WAQA) Contemporary Exhibition. It is a biennial, juried exhibition showcasing the innovative range of work being produced by Western Australian artists who challenge the usual concept of the ‘quilt’ medium.

“Stitched and bound 2024/25 is the fourteenth West Australian Quilters Association Inc. (WAQA) Contemporary Exhibition. It showcases 48 innovative works by Western Australian artists. Individually and collectively, the artists challenge the traditional concept of the quilt medium; in concept, design, size, and execution, including the use of unconventional materials and techniques.
The history of quilt-making (and textiles more broadly) has been extensively documented; I will refrain from reviewing that in detail here. Suffice to say that the linguistic roots ‘text’ and ‘textile’ are the same; the Latin word textus, meaning ‘woven’. Textile-related metaphors are woven throughout the English language; we speak of the social fabric of a community, of tying the knot, of feeling a little frayed at the edges. We encounter textiles daily, yet their largely utilitarian nature means that they are usually taken for granted.” Martien van Zuilen, Contemporary Felt Artist, Textile Artisan, Community Artist, Educator, PhD, Anthropology – Textile Material Culture, UWA 2013

Featured artwork by Barbara Weeks
Lake Ballard
110 x 57 cm
Dusk and dawn at Lake Ballard.
Wool-laminated cloth, felted wool painted silk, wool wadding. Bonded applique, hand and machine quilting, beaded embellishment. ‘Ultrafyne' and silk threads.
Photographer: Barbara Weeks

This exhibition was made possible with support from the local quilting groups the Port Patchers and Gibson Fireshed Quilters

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Esperance Bay