Wednesday 17 March 2010

V and A Exhibition

I arrived like the white rabbit late, but with 2 minutes to spare. I hate rushing but walked in through the doors knowing the exhibition time was finally here. Years ago we first heard of this and it seemed so long in the future it would never arrive.

For those of you overseas, my route from the train station took me past Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park Corner and Harrods. (I still get a kick out of these places) The entrance to the V and A is impressive but as I didn't want to risk life and limb going back across the road to get a better view and be even later arriving, this photo is as good as it gets.
The whole exhibition was wonderful a full exhibition of quilts not normally available to view. (There are a few contemporary works but we as quilters will not perhaps appreciate these as much, with one or two exceptions) There is as there surely had to be, a Sanderson star (not the best Sanderson Star but representive of them), wholecloths mainly from the 19th century, a fabulous strippy with feathers to die for (well I would notice that wouldn't I?)
The stars of the show are the pieced quilts and coverlets. The one below really took my fancy with the most incredible stars in each circle (Susan Briscoe might have other photos of this quilt on her blog ). This particular photo is curtesy of the V&A and they retain their copyright (please respect).


They have their famous quilt with the sundial centre dated 1797. We've seen this quilt in many books but it is so very impressive in person.
The Rajah quilt has been borrowed from Australia for the duration of the exhibition and this one coverlet would make the trip worth while, after all a trip to Canberra would be required to see it again and I think I'm right in saying they only have it on display for one day a year.
There are the 'soldiers' quilts, made from tiny pieces of military uniforms (my feeling is only men could be so determined to piece these works. They impress me with their skill but not their artistry.
I didn't see the Tristram quilt, can it really not be on display or did I miss it (possible)
I shall go back perhaps next month, perhaps next week if I can't wait...
Run to see this, don't walk.

12 comments:

  1. I couldn't get to the preview so thanks for sharing your visit Sally. I shall have to get my booking made for Easter week.

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  2. Wow! I need to get my tickets booked! not only will it be interesting to see the quilts, I wonder how many of us will bump into eachother there too! Thanks for the preview preview Sally

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  3. Thank you for telling us a bit about the exhibition. I am trying to figure out how I can manage to get to London to see it.

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  4. LOL, I knew you'd beat me to posting! Just got home and about to crawl into bed. I promise pictures & a proper post tomorrow evening.

    A great day though and will be back to see it again.

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  5. I'm going on 28th...soooo looking forward to it - thanks for the preview which I was invited to but work wouldn't let me take the time off
    :o(

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  6. Glad you got home safe! I'm shattered - hope to post tomorrow! I agree the Rajah quilt was definitely worth the journey!

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  7. I have to wait until Easter weekend - so glad it met expectations, hope you see the Tristan quilt next visit.

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  8. The Tristan quilt is on permanent exhibition in the restored Mediaeval and Renaissance galleries
    http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O98183/bed-cover-the-tristan-quilt/. Something to go visit while you're waiting for timed entry to the Quilt Exhibition?

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  9. I wish I could have gotten to London to see it. I did get the catalog sent to me and am looking forward to studying it.

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  10. Have been watching with interest the comments on this exhibit. Thanks for this post! And thanks for stopping by with a comment on my blog... I wondered the same thing as you did about the vintage one patch. Was that green border placement a plan or simply the result of the predominant color of scraps on hand. Such fun to speculate and wonder about old quilts.

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  11. lucky you - i had a 'look' online and am deeply envious of those who get to see this exhibition in real life :)

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  12. I travelled down to London and the Museum last week end. What a joy it was. Especialy the minute silk on silk needlework of a 10 year old girl, my eyes were transfixed. An Exhibition not to be missed.

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