General News
14 February, 2025
Exhibition opens in Talbot
The works of local artist Mel Young are set to be showcased in Talbot for the next month, as part of her latest exhibition.
The exhibition, Collected When Walking, is a captivating series of hand-quilted cloth collages inspired by her daily walks through the landscapes of her hometown of Tarnagulla and beyond.
Opening today and running until March 23, the exhibition will be showcased in The Folk Experiment, a vibrant new gallery space in the historic town of Talbot.
Ms Young’s art is deeply intertwined with the natural world. The bushland’s changing hues, textures, and seasonal rhythms fuel her creative process, transforming found fabrics into intricate, hand-stitched narratives. Each quilted work is both a map and a meditation — where the slow act of walking is mirrored in repetitive stitching, grounding each piece in time and place.
Using reclaimed fabrics sourced from op shops, Ms Young assembles compositions that embrace the imperfections and histories of the materials.
A major turning point in Mel’s journey was encountering the quilts of Gee’s Bend 15 years ago, an experience that reshaped her approach to quilting. These works demonstrated how tradition could be reimagined in deeply personal ways.
Curated by Felicity Martin, The Folk Experiment is dedicated to fostering connections through creativity, storytelling, and ideas. Inspired by Ballarat’s UNESCO Creative City of Folk Art & Craft, the space celebrates regional creatives and their work.
“The Folk Experiment may be a small space inside Fossickers Fine Food & Eatery, but we intend to create something magical — an intersection of food, art, music, and culture,” Ms Martin said.
“Mel’s work beautifully captures the shifting rhythms of the local landscape, translating them into cloth collages rich with colour, texture, and pattern.
“This exhibition will inspire anyone who loves textiles, hand-making, and the stories woven into fabric.”
The exhibition’s launch will be celebrated this evening with a special meet the artist event featuring quilting expert, tutor, and author Margaret Mews, as well as live jazz music from local trio The Wattle City Syncopators and a delicious menu of pizzas, share plates, and Valentine’s specials.
The Collected When Walking exhibition will culminate in a cloth collage workshop on March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
The workshop, running from 10 am until 1 pm, is a hands-on experience designed to build creative confidence and explore textile storytelling. It’s beginner friendly, all materials and morning tea are provided, and costs $95 per person.
The Folk Experiment at Fossickers Fine Food & Eatery is open from 10 am until 8 pm on Fridays, and 10 am until 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, head to www.fossickerstalbot.com.au.