Quilts 1700 – 2010
20th March to 4th July 2010
Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL |
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This new exhibition traces the origins of the craft of quilt making and quilt design from its basis in 1700 right through to its current place in art, looking at the endless range of national and regional variations along the way. Was quilt making in 1700 simply a good way of making use of otherwise redundant pieces of material or did it have an element of the artistic about it ? This exhibition will prove the latter to be true, although the functional purpose was, of course, always a strong motivation for keeping the craft going.
On display for the first time ever is the George III Coverlet – a representation in quilt form of King George III reviewing troops on his birthday in 1799. Quilts throughout the ages from 1700 onwards are displayed in five separate areas right up to contemporary pieces by the likes of Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry. 65 works displayed in total include special commissions by modern artists including Sue Stockwell and Caren Garfen. Whether the exhibition will have the effect of reviving interest in this long established craft remains to be seen.
Travel: The Victoria & Albert Museum is a 5 minute walk from Harrington Court Apartments – just walk along toward South Kensington tube station, turn left into Cromwell Place, right into Thurloe Place and join Exhibition Road just before it meets with Cromwell Road. The V&A is on the opposite side of the road.
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