Quilted: Community, Creativity and Care – Huddersfield

Quilted celebrates the powerful art of quiltmaking. Stitching a quilt can be an act of protest, a gesture of care, or an opportunity to connect with other people. Quilts can be personal and heartfelt, made with a particular individual in mind. Quiltmaking can also be a collective activity: people can work together to explore and share social, political and creative ideas.

Quilted represents the work of many hands and reveals multiple stories. The exhibition brings together three distinct groups of quilts to provide a rich conversation about quiltmaking today.

The Threads of Survival quilts were produced across the UK by over 160 people during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of these quilts were made in challenging times and in difficult circumstances. Threads of Survival is an ongoing project and is open to all. Several communities have made new quilts in response to the exhibition as it has toured. The exhibition here, for example, features new quilts made by communities in Leeds and Rotherham. 

The exhibition also features quilts made by local communities working across Kirklees. These quilts reveal the remarkable creativity and commitment of groups and collectives dedicated to caring for others, combating isolation and encouraging community action.

Quiltmaking remains an important medium for artists today. Quilted features a range of quilts made by individual textile artists and makers based in and around Kirklees. These quilts reveal a host of innovative methods, ideas and narratives.

There are lots of ways to explore your creativity with textiles. At Huddersfield Art Gallery: Unit 7, there is a full programme of talks, presentations and workshops designed to encourage people to meet, stitch and learn together. 

This event listing is for Huddersfield Art Gallery:Uit 7. Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11am – 4pm

Please check the Bagshaw Museum listing for opening times and location details.