Craft / Extra padding. At Platform, Manuka, until May 24. Reviewed by MEREDITH HINCHLIFFE.

Extra Padding is the third iteration in a rolling collaborative project centred on exploratory textile art.

Eleven artists, working in a range of other art forms, have joined together to mount this exhibition of quilted works.

The artists are Andriana Carney, Emma Louise Hayman, Fiona Waters, Karena Keys, Lois Waters, Margaret Gonin, Merryn Lloyd, Olivia Arnold, Owen Lewis, Phoebe Beard and Ruby Hoppen.

The traditional definition of a quilt is a “coverlet for a bed, made by stitching together two thicknesses of fabric with padding of some soft substances between them, the padding kept in place by stitching passing through all thicknesses”. The term quilt now refers to anything quilted or resembling a quilt.

The loose definition describes the works in this exhibition better than the traditional.

‘Bus station’ by Emma Louise Hayman, consists of a stitched and appliqued image of a night sky in Canberra, with the sky looming above a ceramic bus station in Majura. The two media work together well and it is evocative of the big Canberra night skies.

Birth Quilt by Merryn Lloyd evokes all the trappings I expect are associated with a birthing suite, including a towel.

Cupro fabric is known also as ‘vegan silk’. It is made from cotton linter – the tiny fibres left over from cotton production. By drawing together, joining, and pleating Cupro and silk, Lois Waters has made three small navy blue works.

Two works feature reused garments – ‘Purple Jumper’ and ‘Coat’. An old blanket and jumper make up Purple Jumper, by Fiona Waters. This quilt would be perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV. It still retains small pockets for snacks and the remote. A tiny, blue jumper has been pinned to the reverse.

Margaret Gonion has used a found tablecloth and nightie, wool batting and cotton thread to create ‘Coat’, with buttons and pockets. There are tears in the fabric, and it shows fading and signs of wear. It could pass for a well-loved and well-used coat or dressing gown.

Several works in this exhibition really challenge the title of ‘quilt’. But the artists aren’t necessarily asking viewers to do this. I found it an interesting show, with some intriguing variations on the title of quilt.