Roy was a sincere friend and mentor to aspiring quilt artists, notably Enid Viljoen, who is carrying on the vivacity of Roy’s work in her own visual language. Incidentally she is writing a book on his work. He was a prolific artist incorporating various mixed media – from paint to twigs in his work, and had a marvellous and colourful studio with baskets of wools and cloth form which he drew his inspiration. He collected fabric and tapestries from Thrift stores and Hospice, pieces that already had a history to them and incorporated them into his enormous pieces. He loved the drama of Wagner’s music which is evident in the quilts.
He left a collection of over 80 quilts, which, after distribution to various friends, left 64 which he bequeathed to Fibreworks, an innovative art quilt group, who will auction the work.
He participated in the Mandela and Tutu exhibitions, a collaborative show with the American Women of Colour Quilters Network and South African quilters and his pieces are now in the collection of Michigan State University.
Nancy Bavor, of Nebraska University, who has selected his work for their archives, states that he is a leader in the field of textile art.
Roy won the following prizes at South African national festivals from 1987 to 2004
• Best on Show, 1st prize contemporary Title: Moving South African National Patch and Quilting Championships - Knysna 1987
• Best on Show, 1st prize contemporary Title: The Great Divide Passage 3rd
• South African National Patch and Quilting Championships in the City of Roses – Bloemfontein 1989
• Merit, Contemporary Title: Stars for Africa Stars for Africa International Quilt Festival – Durban 1990
• Best on Show Title: Safari into Freedom of expression Quilt Safari – Johannesburg 1991
• 1st Prize Other-Innovative Title: Portrait of a Quilter Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow National Quilt Festival – Cape Town 1994
• 3rd Prize Tomorrow Innovative Large Title: Portrait of a Quilter Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow National Quilt Festival – Cape Town 1994
Roy passed away on 5 April 2018
Click on photos to view enlargements.
