The Maharajah's Garden

ATASDA's 2010 Travelling Exhibition

The exhibition consisted of a two brightly-decorated suitcases, Saffron and Jasmine, which travelled Australia independently during 2010 and 2011, providing groups and schools with a portable exhibition and educational display in a suitcase.

The suitcases visited almost every state and territory – only ACT missed out – and clocked up a grand total of about 50000 kilometres between them

Each suitcase contained about twenty-five exotic and vibrant textile works in a range of different media.

The works were light but robust (to withstand the travelling process), ranging in size from 15cm square to 120cm x 200cm and displayed both flat and/or hanging to suit individual requirements.

Artwork by Claire Brach (left) and Barbara McLennan ("Tiger Tiger", right)

Each work was accompanied by an A3 techniques board, explaining the inspiration for the work and one of the methods using in the construction of the piece. This documentation not only provided a valuable teaching resource for techniques but illustrated, in a simple form, the kind of documentation needed to accompany exhibited artworks. Some exhibitors included links to online tutorials or other works.

Each suitcase exhibition also involves a collaborative project. The Maharajah’s Garden exhibition included colourful and eye-catching bunting, individually-designed from a basic kit, that could be tied together to form a flexible collaborative display. Made from kits to standard shapes, the bunting demonstrates the very individual work that textile artists can do, from the same starting point.

Saffron-Maharaj-suitcase-leaving-Turramurra-PO-1

Above: Left and Centre - How the Travelling Exhibition might be displayed
Right - Saffron heading from the Post Office to start her journey around Australia.

The only cost for these exhibitions is the registered postage to the next venue. They are amazingly good value and a wonderful way to foster the textile arts throughout Australia.