The Oceania exhibition at the Royal Academy in 2018 was one of my all-time favourites. The catalogue provides me with endless sources of inspiration. This piece was inspired by the great seafaring exploits of the peoples of Oceania, crossing oceans in their canoes using ‘charts’ made of sticks and shells. Unlike modern charts, these were not based on geographical location as we know it but on tidal currents, wave and wind patterns which have an underlying form and were conceptualised and used to navigate by the extraordinary people of the Oceans.
Kore Mahere is made up of three layers; the quilt top is machine appliquéd, with an image representing the oceanic ‘Charts’. The sandwich has been machine quilted with a very simple grid pattern alluding to lines of latitude and longitude. Finishing the quilt has been done with a facing which catches in a layer of silk organza at the top and the bottom but leaving the sides unattached. The paddle image is painted with Procion dye.
