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Brenda Gael Smith

Contemporary Textile Art

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Twelve by Twelve

 

I created this body of work as part of the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Challenge. For four years, we each made a 12×12 inch quilted art piece on a designated theme or colour palette. For 2012 we made rectangular pieces, 20×12 inches.

Our eponymous book Twelve by Twelve: the International Art Quilt Challenge was published in 2011 and is still readily available. We have also self-published Colorplay a catalogue style book that documents the Colorplay series that is available from Amazon and CreateSpace.

What an honour! 44 artworks from the Twelve by Twelve International Art Quilt Project are now part of the permanent collection of the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. A selection of these works is on exhibition until 11 May 2024. View the 12×12 exhibition online gallery.

Theme Series (2007-2009)
Piece de Resistance ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Organic Chocolate (Darkl) ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
My People ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Coriolis ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Piece de Resistance ©2007
Organic Chocolate ©2008
My People ©2008
Coriolis ©2008
Radiance ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Favela ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Biinary Note #2 ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Stacked ©2008 Brenda Gael Smith
Radiance ©2008
Favela ©2008
Binary Note #2 ©2008
Stacked ©2009
       
Introspection ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
FLost & Found at Fromelles ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
Caliente ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
Double Six ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
Introspection ©2009
Lost & Found at Fromelles ©2009
Desire Lines #2: Caliente ©2009
Double Six ©2009
Colourplay Series (2009-2011)
Argyle Diamonds ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
A Feeling for Snow ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Harakeke ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Lupins ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Argyle Diamonds ©2009
A Feeling for Snow ©2010
Harakeke ©2010
Lupins ©2010
       
Lorikeet Circus ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
A Lasting Impression ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Once Submerged
Copacabana Sentinels by Brenda Gael Smith
Lorikeet Circus ©2010
A Lasting Impression ©2010
Once Submerged ©2011
Copacabana Sentinels ©2011
Bamboo ©2011 Brenda Gael Smith
Bush Tucker Tracks ©2011 Brenda Gael Smith
Suits
Firewheel Trio by Brenda Gael Smith
Bamboo ©2011
Bush Tucker Tracks ©2011
Suits ©2011
Firewheel Trio ©2011
2012 Series
Sturt's Spurt © 2012 Brenda Gael Smith Twelve Ways by Brenda Gael Smith After the Big Wet by Brenda Square Peg - Round Holes by Brenda Sweet Dreams by Brenda
Sturt’s Spurt
20x12in ©2012
Twelve Ways
20x12in ©2012
Catching the Sun
20x12in ©2012
Square Peg:
Round Holes
20x12in ©2012
Sweet Dreams
20x12in ©2012

The quilts shown above are my “official” contributions to the Twelve by Twelve project.In addition, I made several other quilts in this format along the way including:

Organic Chocolate Trio

Organic Chocolate Trio 3 x 30cm x 30cm ©2008
Rose Moderne ©2009 Brenda Gael Smith
Make a Wish ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Dandelion Meadow ©2007 Brenda Gael Smith
Esprit de Corps
Rose Moderne ©2009
Make a Wish ©2007
Dandelion Meadow©2008
Esprit de Corps©2008
Once in a Blue Moon ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Ice Crystals ©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Harakeke #2©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Dreamlines#4©2010 Brenda Gael Smith
Once in a Blue Moon ©2010
Ice Crystals ©2010
Harakeke #2 ©2010
Dreamlines#4 ©2010

I acknowledge that I live and create on the land of the Darkinjung and Guringai people and recognise their continuing connection to this place. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all First Nations people.

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Contact

Brenda Gael Smith
Contemporary Textile Art

brenda@brendagaelsmith.com

PO Box 131, Avoca Beach
NSW 2251 Australia

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Serendipity Studio News

Sign up for periodic updates from my studio - new artwork, exhibitions, workshops, tutorials and other news

On exhibition

  • 9 November 2025 – 31 January 2026 Performance Arts Culture Cessnock
    AHEAD OF THE CURVE
  • Integrifolia #3
    26 February – 1 March 2026 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival – Hampton, Virginia
    Minimalism
FORZA VITALE at CARREFOUR 2026 Forza Vitale is a FORZA VITALE at CARREFOUR 2026

Forza Vitale is a vibrant exhibition of 24 abstract textile paintings by @brendagaelsmith @carrefour_patchwork that radiate energy and vitality.

Created from intensely colored, hand-dyed fabrics, each work is cut free-form and assembled into dynamic linear compositions and bold shapes, enriched with dense, expressive stitching.

The collection draws deeply from the natural world: the brilliant plumage and movement of Australian parrots; wild lupins blooming in vast drifts; luminous tulip fields; and oceans shimmering with phosphorescent light. From teeming marine life to the radiant glow of sunrise, these works capture nature’s pulse and perpetual renewal.

Through abstraction, color saturation, and rhythmic mark-making, Forza Vitale celebrates the life force that animates both landscape and human experience. The exhibition invites viewers into a sensory encounter with energy, transformation, and the enduring vitality of the natural world.
Sunday afternoon at @carrefour_patchwork brought f Sunday afternoon at @carrefour_patchwork brought fewer visitors but they were even more engaged in my Forza Vitale exhibition. Over and over again, people remarked to me that when they first entered the church, they were uncertain as to what it was all about. Then as they walked through and absorbed the exhibit, including labels and source inspiration images, they appreciated that the collection shared the story of my home environment,  and the life force that unites us all. 

#forzavitale #brendagaelsmithart #carrefoureuropeanquiltshow
Day 0 @carrefour_patchwork 2026 - after lugging a Day 0 @carrefour_patchwork 2026 - after lugging a suitcase of quilts and another suitcase of printed materials (who needs clothes?!) across from Sustralia via Brussels and Heidelberg, it was time to install my exhibition.
 
With expert assistance from @marytecollard and Elvyra, the exhibition is ready for viewing. 😍

#carrefoureuropeanquiltshow #brendagaelsmithart #forzavitale
What a joyful experience it is to share my Forza V What a joyful experience it is to share my Forza Vitale exhibition at @carrefour_patchwork 2026 in the charming Eglise de l’Assomption, 5 Rue de l’Église in Lièpvre 17 – 20 September 2026.

The stained glass windows complement the hues of the textile paintings and the excellent lighting allows the viewers to see the intensive stitching.

This video is from set up day with live music provided by the husband of @alexandra.kingswell who took the opportunity to try out the organ in the church. 🎶🎶
#carrefoureuropeanquiltshow #nrendagaelsmithart

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