Community
12 April, 2024
Late embroiderer’s works on display
THE daughters of artist Yvonne Reid have pulled out their mother’s work and put it up in the Courthouse Camperdown to honour her artistic legacy.
The monthly exhibition in the Courthouse will feature various pieces of sewing, embroidery and stitching created by the late Mrs Reid, who died in 2017.
Mrs Reid moved to Cobden in 1970 with her husband Dr Jim Reid and their three daughters.
She served as a volunteer at the Cobden Kindergarten, Cobden Primary School Cobden Girl Guides and the Red Cross.
Ruth Gstrein, one of Mrs Reid’s three daughters, said her mother’s passion began when she spent time sewing clothes and fancy-dress outfits for Ms Gstrein and her sisters.
“As the family grew, Yvonne’s interest in exploring new forms of sewing and embroidery developed and, in 1987, she joined the South West branch of the Embroiderers Guild,” she said.
She not only learned the art of embroidery, but also took on a number of executive roles including chair and secretary over several periods”
“Yvonne’s skills of planning, organisation and embroidery were demonstrated during special projects and commissions taken by the guild, including the Jones Panels and the 2010 Christmas decorations at Fairhall for the Johnston Collection.”
Mrs Gstrein’s sister Kate Reid said Mrs Reid was also involved in many public artwork displays around Warrnambool.
“Surrounded by like-minded creatives, Yvonne explored the many facets of embroidery,” she said.
“Cross stitch on aida and linen, white work, black work, beading, hardanger, drawn thread and gold work were all experimented with.”
Mrs Gstrein’s other sister Janet Reid said, until her mother’s death in 2017, she was always seen with a needle in her hand and working away on her art.
“As a result of this, many of her pieces have been in storage,” she said.
The three sisters put out a joint statement in their decision to display their mother’s works.
“It seems a shame to keep them in boxes when others could put them on their walls and enjoy the work that has been done,” they said.
“Yvonne would be so proud to see her work on display, and in such a beautiful building.
We are grateful to the Camperdown Courthouse Committee for allowing the exhibition and thank exhibition curator Jan Barnes for her support.”
The exhibition will run until the end of April, and is located at 179 Manifold Street, Camperdown.