Flowers of Friendship
Materials: various materials (fabric, yarns, paper, metal, clay, plant fibres), gold ink, cotton fabric
Techniques: calligraphy, embroidery, appliqué, knitting, crochet, felting, patchwork, quilting, beading, weaving, pottery, dyeing, collage, painting, photography, paper art, fibre sculpture, papermaking
Size: 11 wall hangings each 180 cm long, 40 cm wide (total width 440 cm)
Description: Tricia invited her friends (and their friends) to create a flower on a 10cm square of calico. 355 contributors from all over Australia, aged from 2 to 91 years, created 495 flowers in an amazing variety of materials, techniques and colours. Many of these wonderful people have suffered hardship and personal trauma, yet still participated.
The squares were sewn together, framed with strips of dark green sashing, on which the phrase ‘flowers of friendship’ was written several times in gold. The eleven hangings can be hung singly or as a group, and each hanging includes at least one square made by Tricia, signifying her connection to everyone involved in the project.
The corners of each square were secured to the backing with golden knots, symbolising the precious ties of friendship which bind us all together. The knots are frayed on the back to represent the stresses which unravel our lives, but are often kept hidden from even our closest friends.
The story of the construction and display of these hangings has been recorded in a handmade book, covered with paper incorporating leaves, and stitched with metallic thread. A commercially printed version of the book has now also been produced.
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