Community set to enjoy vibrant quilt artworks

Caloundra’s nationally acclaimed textile artist Cynthia Morgan has generously donated two striking fabric quilt artworks to Sunshine Coast Council’s Art Collection.
Division 2 Councillor Tim Dwyer said Cynthia is a well-known Caloundra textile artist who in the 1990’s was awarded an Honorary Ambassador at the Australia Day awards by the Caloundra City Council.
“Then in 2011 Cynthia was awarded an Australia Day Award for her contribution to artistic life in our community,” Cr Dwyer said.
“When Cynthia arrived at my Caloundra office last week and announced she was donating two beautiful quilts to Council, I was extremely humbled by her generosity.
“The quilts, which were on international display at the 2011 National Quilt Museum Show in Kentucky, USA, will be proudly displayed in Council’s Art Collection. Council has for many years acquired artworks for a special collection housed on the walls of Council and public buildings such as Council chambers, libraries and entertainment venues.
“Cynthia is a valuable friend of the Caloundra Regional Gallery and has her own lovely studio overlooking Tooway Lake at Moffat Beach. She is also a member of Seaview Artists’ Gallery at Moffat Beach. This is not the first time Cynthia has kindly donated her artworks – she has been a long supporter of the local community.”
When asked why she has made this donation, Cynthia Morgan said it was due to a recent health scare that it made her rethink life a little.
“I recently turned 80 and decided to give 80 pieces of artwork away and Sunshine Coast Council will receive two of my artworks,” she said.
“The pieces that I have chosen Focus on Fungi and Focus on Fungi II are from my Rainforest Series which was inspired by various forms of fungi which I photographed on a trip to Bunya Mountains in Southern Queensland.
“The fungi in the artwork are actually made from hand dyed suede fabric which I purchased on a trip to Alaska in 1999. I remember I paid 50 US dollars a yard for the fabric – which was very expensive at the time.
“In addition to the 80 artworks that I have already given away, I still have 40 quilts and 30 canvases which I use to rotate in Seaview Gallery every two months.
“I hope the community enjoy the vibrant colours in these two quilts – it will give me much satisfaction to know they will be on display for all to enjoy for many years to come.”
Artist Background
Nationally acclaimed fabric artist Cynthia Morgan dyes her fabrics to achieve greater subtlety for her art quilts, and loves to work in the ever changing sea colours.
Cynthia is known for her Rainforest, Australian Outback, and Flower series, as well as the Barrier Reef and Sea series. Between teaching assignments in USA and working in her studio, Cynthia and her husband choose for their frequent holidays, interesting locations in the rainforest, or Outback Australia, or on the Barrier Reef to inspire her. Cynthia uses the photographs she takes on these holidays as her jumping off point for her designs. Through her quilts Cynthia wants to make the viewer more aware of the beauty of the natural environment which is being gradually eroded by man’s uncontrolled intrusion. This reflects her concern for the growing struggle between retaining the integrity of the natural environment while still allowing for man’s sustainable development.