Sold at Auction: Stewart Merrett

An illustrator by profession, Stewart Merrett developed an interest in textiles when working in London in the 1970s. Enthralled by the diversity of fibres, colours and textures of materials he soon decided to make the textile arts his life's work. After opening a studio in Melbourne Australia to cater for private commissions, his artistic progression was nothing less than spectacular. His first one man exhibition was a sell-out and commissions from internationally ranked architects for major public projects flowed in. Soon he was receiving requests for his work from all around the world. Following his second sell-out exhibition, he was awarded the Coats Paton Craft Award. Other awards followed as did more architectural commissions, lecture tours and textile workshops. His first book Appliqué Art (1993) is a major work which reviews sixteen years of prodigious creative output.

Stewart's alphabet cross stitch as cushionsIn his second book Appliqué Alphabet (1994) Stewart develops a single theme reworking it constantly in different colourways that will amaze and delight you. These images of illuminated letters formed the source of his sold out publication Cross Stitch Fruit & Flower Alphabet (1997) and celebrate his move into the more private realm of cross stitch and tapestry design.

A textile artist of international repute Stewart Merrett now works from his studio and home in the small rural Central Victorian Australian township of Clunes.

Once a thriving gold mining town Clunes today has a population of little more than 800. Its main street is a favorite location for film makers as it is one of the last and most intact 19th century town streetscapes in Australia comprising numerous sandstone, bluestone and brick buildings.

Stewart lives happily on the tiny township's outskirts amongst the native birds and chocolate coloured wallabies. There is a small orchard with pears, apples, plums and apricots as well as a prolific garden full of roses and wonderful rhubarb.

View from the verandah at Clunes

An idyllic and creative patch for Stewart’s imagination.