with community groups for
beyondblue |
blue voices of all ages, together we can make a difference
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In 2005 twelve women created an exhibition of small quilts as "posters" for beyondblue. All of them are prepared to admit that at some time or another they have suffered from depression; one reason Senior Momentum was established was to provide members with a supportive environment where they could discuss their problems with sympathetic friends.
The quilt project snowballed when other people wanted to join in. re-TIE-ing the blues was organised to involve the wider community, in particular men and inexperienced quilters; Wash Day Blues escalated into a series of twenty workshops held all over the state; the blue Knitting Room encouraged marginalised groups to participate in an arts activity.
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support on a blue day
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"The projects provided participants with a unique opportunity to explore personal problems; to gain personal understanding; to present a unique perception of life; and through that process, to share that perception with others." Senior Momentum Coordinator Jennifer Line
re-TIE-ing the blues - making a community quilt to link beyondblue to community groups throughout the state
Quilt the Blues - a series of blue quilts as posters for beyondblue
Wash Day Blues - art in a public space, garment shapes celebrating the resilience of Tasmanian women
blue knitting room - linked to Maturity Blues; the beyondblue initiative concerned with aged care
Beyond Blue
Meeting with friends to craft and quilt can be a very effective way to keep the "blues" at bay. This was confimed by an arts/health project for older women at Hobart's Women's Health Centre throughout 2005. Coordinated by the Senior Momentum group and aligned with the national depresson initiative, beyondblue, the project incorporated a range of programmes. Quilt the Blues saw small informal groups meeting to sew and chat and make blue quilts; re-TIE-ing the blues was a community quilt made from 576 men's ties (a deliberate attempt to connect with men who are at high risk of suicide); and Wash Day Blues resulted in an installation of garment shapes in Salamanca Square (Hobart) celebrating the resilience of Tasmanian women.
Quilts made during the project were exhibited at the Schoolhouse Gallery at the Rosny Hill Historic Centre (Hobart) during September and October and as part of the launch of National mental Health Week at the Waterside Pavilion, Constitution Dock.
article from Quilter's Companion magazine
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Through a Glass Darkly by Jennifer Line
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