Andi Herman

Matriarchs, 2018
These three quilts portray my mother (centre) and my two
grandmothers. My father’s mother, Linka — my middle name — died five years before I was born. According to those who knew her, she was a maker of beautiful things, a wonderful cook, a devoted family woman, and a resilient person who survived the Holocaust and went on to build a life in Australia. The greatest compliment my father ever gave me was calling me a balabusta, just like her.

My mother’s mother, who I called Mama, was an elegant, proud Toorak lady. She was also a hilarious and slightly unhinged woman who entertained her grandchildren by dancing naked with her undies on her head. She was the one who introduced me to quilting and nurtured my lifelong love of crafting.

My mother, Jacqueline, was fun, silly, loving, and nurturing. We recited poetry together. She taught me to sew, to cook, and to confide. She also taught me how to be an unconditionally loving mother.

I feel deep gratitude for these women. Between them, they shaped my creativity, my care for others, and my sense of motherhood. I wish they were still part of my everyday life, but I carry their influence with enduring love and appreciation.

Inheritance, 2025
This quilt is based on a photograph taken from the living
room of our home in Castlemaine, purchased in 2024. The
purchase was made possible by funds I inherited following
my mother’s passing the previous year. My mother’s love of
the Australian landscape continues to shape how I see and
experience this place.

As I stand surrounded by the beauty of the bush, I am filled
with both gratitude for what she made possible, and sorrow
for her absence. Without a doubt, I’d rather have her back.