Curated by Zara Zannettino
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What a pleasure it was to have a deadline that required me to study the entire SAQA Juried Artist Member online gallery and curate a virtual showcase. Fortunately, choosing a theme was easy, as the working title Chasing the Light came to mind immediately.
I have always been fascinated by the powerful influence of light and how accomplished photographers and artists across all media skillfully use it to create realism, texture, or depth. I also admire the dedication of artists who pursue the dawn and twilight “golden hours” or embrace the challenges of moonlight to reveal the inner glow of a scene or subject.
With so many exceptional SAQA artists to choose from, the greatest challenge quickly became limiting the selection to just 24 works. In the end, I was delighted to highlight a diverse group of artists whose work incorporates light, whether through subject matter or technique, such as through the casting of shadows and reflections, clever installation, quilted texture, or simply through the inspiration source that has been artfully captured.
As a result, this small selection spans a wide range of styles and subjects, from abstract works to portraits, seascapes to streetscapes, and micro to macro still life. I hope you enjoy looking more deeply into this showcase of Juried Artist art quilts, each one elegantly reflecting the theme of Chasing the Light.
Zara Zannettino is an Australian art quilter with a background in microbiology and medical research. Along life’s many twists and turns, she has also taken on extensive caring roles. Together, these experiences have shaped her artistic practice and inspire her to embrace every opportunity to be creative and share the passion that both grounds her and gives her a sense of freedom and connection.
Zara is a member of the Board of Directors of SAQA, a Local Connection Representative for SAQA-Oceania-South Australia and a proud SAQA Juried Artist. Achieving Juried Artist recognition was a personal goal she set to mark her 50th birthday. Although the COVID-19 pandemic presented unexpected challenges and delayed the process, she received the news of her acceptance on the eve of her 51st birthday, a milestone she considers a victory worth celebrating.
