Quilt of Diversity
A hand-made mosaic quilt in Gold Coast Botanic Gardens...
Artists
(left to right): Midge Johansen, Yvette Barta, Nasrin Vaziri (project designer
& manager),
Draghitza Diaz, Kristina Kala & Sadaf Vaziri.
Project Manager: Nasrin Vaziri
Leading Artist: Midge Johansen
Pattern Design: Midge Johansen
Participating Artists:Yvette Barta
Draghitza Diaz
Sadaf Vaziri
Kristina Kala Aldwyn Altuney
Marcus JohansenProject Photography: Nasrin Vaziri & Midge Johansen
Introduction
Nasrin Vaziri
– Project Manager
Announcing the completion of the ‘Quilt of Diversity’ project which
was initiated in 2003 is a very exciting moment for me and all who contributed
their time and skills for this dream to become a reality.
The concept of ‘Quilt of Diversity’ is greater than its aesthetic element. It is to integrate people from diverse cultural backgrounds for a united aim: making an innovative, professional and dynamic public artwork.
The objective of the project is to demonstrate a positive cultural aspect, showcasing that people from different cultural backgrounds may work together successfully to increase the level of harmony and to contribute to community well-being - thereby encouraging ‘Unity in Diversity’.
'Quilt of Diversity' is a collaborative community art project, involving co-design, creation and installation of a Ceramic Mosaic 'Quilt' sculpture in the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens, a prime tourism and public destination of the City of the Gold Coast.
The logic behind choosing a Mosaic Quilt Sculpture is to allow a wide cultural representation of the participants, whilst allowing their individual passion to show through.
The aim of the project is to create a high quality collaborative artwork, which will promote racial and cultural harmony at the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens centrally located in the heart of the Gold Coast.
Artists for the project are local residents who constructed the ceramic tiles for the artwork under the supervision of Midge Johansen. Different cultural backgrounds of the artists as well as their familiarity with ceramic tile making have been the main criteria for their involvement with this project.
Acknowledgements
During the process of the project, I have enjoyed working closely with the leading and supporting artists as well as integrating with people from the wider community at the workshops. I would like to acknowledge the following organisations and individuals, without whom this project would not have been completed:
About the Project
The idea for the project was initiated in 2004 based on the shortage of community group artworks on the Gold Coast.
A workshop project funded by Regional Arts Development Funds was arranged and ten local emerging artists were trained in the process of hand-making tiles under the supervision of Midge Johansen, a local professional ceramic artist and teacher.
In 2006, an application was granted by Arts Queensland for construction of the artwork—the Quilt.
The project was divided into design, fabrication and installation phases. Participating artists collaborated to produce the artwork which was then tiled, grouted and installed on site by builder, Marcus Johansen.
After extensive consultation with Gold Coast City Council staff, Brecknock Consulting and Friends of Botanic Gardens for developing a pattern of the artwork for the sensory garden, a design prepared by Midge Johansen was selected. Prime consideration was given to the boundaries and criteria set by Artwork Brief for Sensory Garden dated March 2007 prepared by Brecknock Consulting - the Master Art Planner for the Sensory Garden as well as keeping the objectives of the project.
The artwork consists of a mosaic made up of 699 hand-made ceramic tiles with no dangerous objects or entrapment issues while the texture of the tile is more related to a visual piece of art. The design and pattern of the artwork aims to create a harmonious relationship with its immediate environment as it can be considered to be a part of the Garden instead of a foreign object.
Objectives Of The Artwork
Materials
The materials used are weather-proof glazed ceramic tiles which can be made in many colours and varied design and texture to enhance the visual appeal of the sculpture.
The artists for the project completed 699 hand-made tiles during 15 sessions under the supervision of Midge. This process took place in Midge Johansen's studio at Mudgeeraba. The following steps were taken:
Maintenance
According to the nature of ceramic tile which will be covered
by glaze, the maintance of the artwork is as easy as cleaning it occasionally
with a wet cloth.
The
site for the artwork within the Sensory Garden of the Gold Coast Botanic Gardens
located at Rosser Park, Gold Coast - May 2007
The design of the artwork was done by Midge Johansen, the leading artist for the project - May 2007
The pattern was enlarged to its final size - June 2007
Each part was colored separately and cut out - June 2007
The 699 tile pieces were cut out of the clay, with some elements sculpted in relief - June, August 2007
The tiles were painted with underglaze - September 2007
The completed underglazed work before glazing, tiling and grouting - Sept 2007
...and the unveiling by Cr Susie Douglas in the Sensory Garden of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens at Council's Gardens Alive! event, 14th October 2007.