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FEBRUARY 2010 |
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 Anthea van Kopplen dressing a client. L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2009. |
New Year, New Project! Can you believe it, Craft Victoria turns 40 in 2010! To celebrate this milestone, we are launching a literary project called Craft Word. Four new essays will be presented over the coming year. Fashion designer, curator and lecturer Anthea van Kopplen kicks off the project with 010110: The End of an Age of Excess?, locating fashion within the consumerist paradigm. Craft Word stipulates that each essayist selects the next writer for the project. So keep those reading glasses handy as the intellectual adventure evolves!
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GALLERY |
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Christopher Headley and Darren McGinn |
Adam Cruickshank |
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Divertissement is a joint showing of new works by practitioners Christopher Headley and Darren McGinn. Encompassing a range of mediums including ceramics, wood and installation, both artists explore issues of cultural identity and place. Headley’s practice considers our relationship to the natural environment, whilst McGinn’s investigates the potential loss of personal and communal identity as the urban sprawl extends into regional precincts.
Infused with a sense of wonder about the world and the objects through which we make sense of it, these artists approach their practice with an appreciation of the comical and the absurd.
Read the Divertissement catalogue essay on CLOG |
Using techniques of sculptural assemblage and repetitive craft-based processes, Adam Cruickshank takes mass-produced objects and reworks them into one-off totems or charms. Reverse Cargo employs concepts of sympathetic magic much like the techniques of various Papua New Guinean tribes, albeit via a reversed, backward exchange.
Unlike the work of many cargo cults throughout the history of the Oceania region, which adapted highly evolved craft practices to replicate the trappings of modern technology and western lifestyle, this work inverts these processes to forcibly apply the magical to the mass-produced.
See photos from the opening night on CLOG |
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enCOUNTER [24/7 window] |
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Repsychled bone china plates from $27.50 |
Gregory Bonasera
These fine bone china plates were originally produced by landmark Japanese ceramics company Noritake as part of the Qantas First Class range. When Marc Newson redesigned Qantas in 2007, these plates were discarded. Ceramicist Gregory Bonasera has taken these ‘redundant’ blank canvases and adorned them with stunning furnishing illustrations from the 18th century, completing their journey from dutiful through discarded and back to desired.
Read Gregory Bonasera's artist statement here |
COUNTER |
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 Porcelain Koala by Christopher Headley, $240 |
The COUNTER shelves are filling fast with new deliveries arriving daily. Ceramics from Charmain Hearder, animal brooches and leather hair ties by Sarah Russell of Scotatto, one off botanical cut-out pendants by Joanne McMahon, ‘Tinsel’ earrings by Felicity Large, glass by Pam Stadus, oil cloth and vintage fabric zip purses by Penelope Durston and the brand new Nicola Cerini print Zaishu.
To coincide with the current Craft Victoria exhibition, Divertissement, we have in stock a range of limited edition porcelain figurines by Christopher Headley and Darren McGinn starting at $150. |
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 Reverse Cargo artist book, $5 + P&H |
Online shop
February sees the arrival of new publications and the return of some old favourites: The Pattern Sourcebook, Contemporary Australian Architecture, 70’s Style and Design, and the Menagerie – Contemporary Indigenous Sculpture catalogue, reprinted due to popular demand. We are also selling Adam Cruickshank’s limited edition Reverse Cargo artist book online: great news for ‘out of towners’ and international fans!
Visit the online shop here |
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CRAFT HATCH |
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 Spin Spin cushions |
Craft Victoria is proud to present a special edition of Craft Hatch as part of the Sustainable Living Festival. Featuring a selection of eco friendly and locally crafted product by some of Melbourne's best emerging and established makers, expect to find an exquisite range of homewares, jewellery, clothing, accessories, stationery and lots more. New stallholders include Andrea Daniel, LUcÉ Handmade (Anne Mason), Dusty Caravan (Hollie Maree Kelley), Hookturn Industries, Kylie Bickerdike, Mae Finlayson and Morgan Wills, and we're happy to be welcoming back Gemma Johnson, Spin Spin (Susan Fitzgerald) and TastyPixel (Sheena McKinnon).
Date: Saturday 13 February, 11am-4pm
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CRAFTBASE |
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 Charlene Spiteri, White Refraction, 2010 |
Craftbase, our online imagebank, continues to attract new Professional Members. Last month's new designer/makers are: Ann-Maree Gentile, Ceramic
View Craftbase online |
CRAFT VICTORIA EVENTS |
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Green up your craft practice
Craft practitioners and designers are invited to attend this professional development session held as part of the Sustainable Living Festival.
Date: Thursday 11 February, 6-7.30pm |
An information session discussing how to apply for an exhibition, how to prepare a funding proposal and why exhibition design is so important. Use this session to help prepare your exhibition proposal for Craft Victoria's 2011 program, due Wednesday 31 March. Speakers include: Anita Budai, exhibition designer, Parallel Studios; Christabel Harvey, Program Manager, Arts Development, Arts Victoria; Nella Themelios, Coordinating Curator, Craft Victoria.
Date: Monday 15 February, 6-7.30pm |
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Brand identity Strategy with Adam Cruickshank
Had enough of Harvey Norman ads on TV? Sick of seeing the golden arches wherever you look? Well maybe Brand identity Strategy is for you! Let Melbourne artist Adam Cruickshank help you develop your own slogan, statement, question, protest, banner or demand! Your say will be projected large and bright on the Signal building i-glass screens. Presented by Craft Victoria and Signal, Melbourne’s first arts studio dedicated to people aged 13 to 20 interested in a wide range of art forms.
Date: Saturday 20 February, 10am-4pm
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Call for 2011 exhibition proposals
Craft Victoria is now accepting exhibition proposals for the first half of 2011. Individuals and groups are welcome to apply. Proposals are examined by an advisory panel with diverse expertise. Use the above information session Make It, Design It, Fund It to help prepare your proposal. Applicants are encouraged to discuss exhibition ideas with Nella Themelios, Coordinating Curator, prior to submission.
Closing Date: Wednesday 31 March |
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OTHER EVENTS |
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Counihan Gallery
Celebrating the 2010 Midsumma Festival, Gayme features the work of leading queer and Indigenous Australian artists. The exhibition includes artwork by Craft Victoria's Indigenous Guest Curator Clinton Nain. Curated by Ben McKeown and Edwina Bartlem.
Dates: until 21 February
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RMIT Project Space
Established in 1881, this college was the precursor to RMIT University, holding classes in technical, business and arts areas. The exhibition highlights some of the talent that has been fostered at the institution. Curated by Stephen Gallagher as part of the Midsumma Festival.
Opening: Thursday 4 February, 5pm
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Pan Gallery
Dig your own clay, make something, build a kiln, fire your work. Use only the tools and materials you have on hand and complete it from beginning to end in 48 hours. Four ceramicists, including 2007 Fresh! exhibitor Kath Wratten, take on the challenge from their respective properties in western Victoria.
Opening: Thursday 4 February, 6pm |
Shifted
Craft Victoria Member Ede Horton presents a new body of glass inspired by a four month residency in Berlin. Forms are cast in black and white glass; ancient materials associated with a rich history that affirms both the strength of European tradition and its fragility in the face of global commodification.
Dates: 10 – 27 February |
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| DISCLAIMER:
The information in the Craft Almanac is subject to change. Although we attempt to ensure that the content at the time of publication is correct, we do not guarantee its accuracy or currency. Craft Victoria accepts no responsibility to you or anyone else arising from any use or reliance on the information contained in the Craft Almanac or any inaccuracy in the information. |
| Craft Victoria is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria, and through the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Government. |