about

My original one-off hand crafted 2D wall hangings/tapices/art quilts) and 3D tabletop installations add interest to a decor and help control acoustics in modern interiors with hard shiny surfaces. My art quilts are large enough to hang (~1m – 2.5m) but smaller ones are ideal for framing or mounting on stretched canvases.  

The basic sewing skills I learned in my 50s Australian childhood I still use in my abstract, minimalist designs.   All fabrics interest me, and I've worked with many including cottons, silk and nylon organzas, mylar, vinyl and leather plus some salvaged and recycled materials. I'll sew with any thread I can put through a needle.  My techniques are mainly hand and machine stitch, fused applique and at times, burning. I embellish with hand stitch and some beading.

My principal inspirations are

1. lines, shapes, colours and textures of landscape. In over five decades of married life with a geologist, living and travel on three continents has inspired my abstract works.  A road crossing the landscape has become a symbol of my journey through Life.
2. Grid layouts are an enduring influence from the brief time I spent making traditional geometric patchwork.  Symbolising the instinctive human desire for stability, order and peace, my grid layouts  are becoming increasingly distorted in response to increasing chaos in the world today.

My work is held in public and private collections in Australia, USA, Argentina and Uruguay. In addition to solo exhibitions in those countries, my art has appeared in many prestigious international juried, invitational and curated group exhibitions, including 6 Quilt Nationals and several Art Quilt Australia biennials.  I exhibit regularly in USA and Australia, occasionally teach workshops, and welcome opportunities to speak to textile and fibre art groups.

My work is for sale, and I undertake commissions.  Contact me for further information. 

My blog, www.alisonschwabe.com/weblog/ is in effect my artist’s diary, where I write on interesting and influential experiences such as exhibitions or workshops attended; and I outline and discuss some of the sample making to explore materials or techniques I'm considering for new work.

I discuss my 2021 and 2023 Quilt National quilts on YouTube: QN21 and QN23 

A PDF of my full catalogue is downloadable  here.   

Social Media - Instagram @schwabealison  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082231031799