The Kerang Quilt

The Kerang Quilt
	The Wall Hanging was commissioned by Jennifer & Helen - the twin daughters of the late Murray Seymour Denyer - who lived most of his life at Normanville. He was a dedicated member of the Anglican Church when it provided a place of Worship at both Normanville and Kerang. Following the approval (of the Vestry and the Diocese) to have a wall hanging on the eastern wall of the Church, Hilary McKay, Pam Jackson and Jill Swifte were approached to submit ideas on a suitable design. Hilary moved from Kerang, so Jill offered to work on the design with Pam's assistance. Initially, it was thought to be just a small hanging, it somehow grew to be nearly 15ft long and 7ft wide - two parts. The basis of the design is "The Tree of Life". This concept is ancient and found in many cultures; it is there in the Garden of Eden in Genesis, and also in the Book of Revelation as part of St John's vision of paradise. The wooden Cross - the symbol of all Christian Churches - emerges from the trunk of the tree in colours that are a celebration of the 'Risen Christ'. Areas of foliage appear as if seen through Church windows whilst other small areas of unexpected colour enhance the imagery of stained glass. The highlight of the quilt is the Dove - the symbol of the Holy Spirit - "the Giver of Life " - hovering over the tree and supporting the vine - representing the people of God. On the right hand side the vine turns to autumn colours - below which are the green and purple grapes -from which the wine is made -symbolic of the Blood of Christ. On the left hand side - the field wheat silhouetted against the sunset sky and the ripened wheat from which we make the bread - The Body of Christ.
The viewer will no doubt see many other patterns of colour representing the sky, the Baptismal waters of cleansing, the land, ivy ( depicting fidelity) and many other images which are left to the imagination of the individual Many of the fabrics used have been specially dyed, stencilled or over printed with fuchsia gum, peppercorn leaves and ferns.. There are also leaves from the Gingko Bilova tree sent specially by the Curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Information to create the design, construction and maintenance came from many sources including a trip to the Canberra National Library, books from the Kerang library, our own Rector's collection of books, and consultation with the Conservator of Textiles at the Victorian State Gallery. The support of the enthusiastic members of the Kerang Quilters Club, tutors and friends was invaluable.	It has taken just over 2 years to complete, uncounted hours and many, many tiny squares of material to create a balanced design and colour. Machine piecing, applique, embroidery and quilting are used in the construction. We are sure that over the years to come, if will remain a most fitting memorial to the man it is in memory of - Murray Seymour Denyer.

The Wall Hanging was commissioned by Jennifer & Helen - the twin daughters of the late Murray Seymour Denyer - who lived most of his life at Normanville. He was a dedicated member of the Anglican Church when it provided a place of Worship at both Normanville and Kerang.

Following the approval (of the Vestry and the Diocese) to have a wall hanging on the eastern wall of the Church, Hilary McKay, Pam Jackson and Jill Swifte were approached to submit ideas on a suitable design. Hilary moved from Kerang, so Jill offered to work on the design with Pam's assistance. Initially, it was thought to be just a small hanging, it somehow grew to be nearly 15ft long and 7ft wide - two parts.

The basis of the design is "The Tree of Life". This concept is ancient and found in many cultures; it is there in the Garden of Eden in Genesis, and also in the Book of Revelation as part of St John's vision of paradise. The wooden Cross - the symbol of all Christian Churches - emerges from the trunk of the tree in colours that are a celebration of the 'Risen Christ'. Areas of foliage appear as if seen through Church windows whilst other small areas of unexpected colour enhance the imagery of stained glass.

The highlight of the quilt is the Dove - the symbol of the Holy Spirit - "the Giver of Life " - hovering over the tree and supporting the vine - representing the people of God.

On the right hand side the vine turns to autumn colours - below which are the green and purple grapes -from which the wine is made -symbolic of the Blood of Christ. On the left hand side - the field wheat silhouetted against the sunset sky and the ripened wheat from which we make the bread - The Body of Christ.

The viewer will no doubt see many other patterns of colour representing the sky, the Baptismal waters of cleansing, the land, ivy ( depicting fidelity) and many other images which are left to the imagination of the individual

Many of the fabrics used have been specially dyed, stencilled or over printed with fuchsia gum, peppercorn leaves and ferns.. There are also leaves from the Gingko Bilova tree sent specially by the Curator of the Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Information to create the design, construction and maintenance came from many sources including a trip to the Canberra National Library, books from the Kerang library, our own Rector's collection of books, and consultation with the Conservator of Textiles at the Victorian State Gallery. The support of the enthusiastic members of the Kerang Quilters Club, tutors and friends was invaluable.

It has taken just over 2 years to complete, uncounted hours and many, many tiny squares of material to create a balanced design and colour. Machine piecing, applique, embroidery and quilting are used in the construction.

We are sure that over the years to come, if will remain a most fitting memorial to the man it is in memory of - Murray Seymour Denyer.

Created on ... July 30, 2000