#sydney REVIEW Raquel Caballero - The Patchwork Portal at the Art Gallery of NSW - Naala Nura building (South).
Sydney artist Raquel Caballero opened her new exhibition The Patchwork Portal back in September, where she uses papier-mâché, textiles and recycled materials to showcase imaginative art-making and serious play.
In this creatives space, Raquel invites visitors of all ages to contribute to a collaborative patchwork installation. Inspired by her favourite childhood book, The Patchwork Girl of Oz by L Frank Baum’s, and the psychedelic textiles of the 1970s, she re-creates the rebellious Patchwork Girl, also known as Scraps, as a larger-than-life-size doll.
Visitors are invited to decorate a fabric square to help complete the Patchwork Girl’s dress and bring her to life and follow the ‘patchwork yellow brick road’ to encounter new works by Caballero, along with a guided audio meditation to transport you through the lands of Oz.
While the kids were busy making their little creative square, I explored and was fascinated by the beautiful portraits, the gorgeous golden book, the amazing patchwork of The Marvelous Map of Oz, sculptures and more, all beautifully created!
We also loved seeing the growing display of visitors’ creations on the Patchwork Girl’s dress and the patchwork wall.
You can see the artist at work on various days across October 2025 to January 2026, more info on their website.
Raquel Caballero is free and on now until the 8 February 2026 at the Art Gallery of NSW - Naala Nura south building.
Photos by @busycitykids.
Raquel Caballero is a Sydney artist who celebrates craft as a skilled art.
Using papier-mâché, textiles and recycled materials, Caballero creates imagined worlds in the form of handmade installations and maximalist sets. Inspired by folk art and outsider cultures, her making is of the kind used in serious play.
In a new commission made especially for children (and curious adults), Caballero invites visitors to explore a magical world of her own making. Visitors will see, touch, play and make – and contribute to a major artwork that will come to life over the exhibition’s duration.
Event Details:
Dates: 6 September 2025 - 8 February 2026
Location: Art Gallery of New South Wales - Naala Nura, our south building - Lower level 2
Cost: Free