Dianne Finnegan's extraordinary quilts, crafted in a non-traditional manner, have garnered global recognition through their international exhibitions. As an esteemed artist, she has been invited to showcase her remarkable creations in prestigious venues such as the World Quilt in Japan, as well as in the United States, Canada, Spain, Holland, Germany, and New Zealand. Her exceptional talent has earned her a place of honor in Thames and Hudson's revered publication, "Textiles: the Art of Mankind," and in the esteemed Japanese text, "88 Leaders of the Quilt World Today." Her artistic prowess is not only celebrated in renowned institutions like the MAAS Powerhouse Museum and Royal North Shore Hospital, but also cherished in private collections around the world.
Acknowledgment of Dianne's contributions extends beyond her artistic achievements. At the esteemed International Quilt Festival in Houston, she was bestowed the distinguished title of International Teacher of the Year, alongside the esteemed Jewel Pearce Patterson Quilt Teacher Scholarship.
Born and raised in Adelaide, Dianne's connection to the surrounding landscapes has been a lifelong source of inspiration. Her academic pursuit of Geomorphology at the University of Adelaide ignited a fervent interest in the development of landforms. Serendipitously, her time in Canada provided her with an opportunity to delve into the intricate craft of quiltmaking. Although seemingly disparate, these two fields converge in their demand for spatial analysis and representation. Gradually, Dianne found herself merging her passions, as the abstraction of mapping became entwined with the abstract nature of her quilt creations.
Dianne's impact extends beyond her artistic endeavors. She has shared her wisdom and expertise through lectures and workshops across the globe, including a special presentation at the illustrious Victoria and Albert Museum in London. During her tenure as president of The Quilters Guild, she spearheaded a groundbreaking national exhibition of quilts in Australia, commemorating the Bicentenary. This momentous event set the stage for a captivating suitcase tour that spanned all states for a remarkable five years. Encouraged by its success, another remarkable touring collection followed suit, solidifying Dianne's legacy as a transformative figure in the quilting community.
Dianne was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for her instrumental efforts in raising $500,000 for the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games by curating exhibitions throughout Australia, her philanthropy and writing the book Quilts 2000, Australia Celebrates.
Of the commissions she has executed, the most exciting was the opportunity to work with Ben Quilty using Syrian refugees’ life jackets rescued from the shores of Lesbos.
Voluntary work is a constant, she was team leader of the Soft Furnishing Group for Sydney Living Museums for 11 years and continues to be artist representative on the Arts and Heritage committee at Royal North Shore Hospital. She has been president of The Quilters’ Guild, the Hunters Hill Quilters, Lane Cove Community Arts Centre, editor of the Furniture History Society and treasurer of her son’s preschool parents group as well as committee member for other not for profit organisations.
Dianne holds a Master of Arts, and Diploma of Education, she is married with three sons and many grand children.