1.6.14

BROADCAST OF THE WEEK

old school new school

Ramona will be flying solo this morning on the RRR's at 10:45 am while i'm stuck at the office writing grant applications... you don't need three guesses to know that i'd rather be behind with her the mike than on my lonesome in front of the computer today! As per usual the news and reviews on current craft around town will be served up fresh with a healthy dose of handmadelife special sauce - yes, bad puns, mediocre gags and lots and lots of opinion!

Sheila Hicks... look her up.

While researching for this months radio spot we discovered there has definitely been a resurgence in some of what we would call old school craft. While we are just as susceptible to the lure of the new, and certainly champion new makers and techniques, we are really excited to see both craft masters and master crafts finally starting to be given their due by a new generation discovering them for the first time. 



REFLECT WITH TIM GRESHAM
While new school lap weaving and wall hangings take over Instagram and Pinterest there are a number of old school true tapestry artists who are finally starting to be recognised for their skill and craft knowledge. One of these such artists is Tim Gresham, whose subtle graphic works have been spellbinding us for years now. Tim has a new show called Reflect opening at Edmund Pearce Gallery on June 5, which we're very excited about. Featuring blindingly beautiful abstract photography and tapestries this show promises a brilliantly realised insight into the nexus where creative inspiration and technical skill meet. In addition he'll be holding a Masterclass (and we mean master) at the Australian Tapestry Workshop on the 25-29 August on advanced techniques and alternative inspirations to designing for tapestries. This is definitely one for experienced tapestry weavers but an amazing opportunity to work with one of the best. 


45 YEARS OF FRESH CLAY
Another craft that has seen a phenomenal resurgence over the past 18 months is ceramics. Earlier this year ceramicist Ruby Pilven won the position of curatorial intern at Ceramics Victoria and has put together Still Firing at 45 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Ceramics Victoria and the permanent collection housed by the City of Whitehorse. As part of this is an exhibition of 10 emerging artists selected by Ruby titled Fresh Clay is being launched by Heide director Jason Smith at the Box Hill Town Hall on June 26. A great celebration of a great and living legacy of craft.



AT HOME WITH MIRKA MORA and OVER THE RAINBOW WITH EMILY FLOYD
Ramona and her boys made the trek to Heide last weekend and were blown away with the new show by Emily Floyd. To be honest i'm very jealous I didn't hide in the picnic basket because this show is an absolute cracker. Ramona will no doubt talk it up today but if you want to read her review head here. While you're there also make time for national treasure Mirka Mora. Look we love her, and her work, so there's not much more to say but if you are like us, go. Have a sneak peak at what a wonderful world she inhabits through the objects she chooses to surround herself with, drawn from her private collection of paintings, soft sculpture dolls, tapestries and sketchbooks there is a whole lot of craft, endless inspiration and boundless spirit on show. A great combination of old meets new.


KIRSTEN HAYDON'S ICE STORM
Another artist we've been following for a while is Kirsten Haydon, and we are eagerly anticipating her new show Ice storeroom at Craft opening on June 20. Following on from her long exploration of Antarctica as a repository for environmental and cultural knowledge . If her past work is anything to go by this will be anything but frostily received.  (yes we told you we made bad puns) .


THE DELL AND ADAM SHOW
We also have to mention two of our favourite makers, partners in crime and life Dell Stewart and Adam Cruickshank who also have a new video work on show at C3 Contemporary Art Space on now. This ones called Small Time/True Belief and we really love and admire their ongoing commitment to hand crafting multi media. Totally rad.


Then of course theres also Mid Century Modern open at NGV which pretty much is a radio show in itself as well as a raft of other markets coming up and being reviewed (Markit and New Craft @ Queen Vic over the last two weekends) as well as craft-centric articles popping up in print in the most unexpected places - Virgin inflight magazine anyone? Whew! Happy Listening people! BECK




1 comment:

rachel said...

Ahhh, such a beautiful post. I think I have a girl crush on you ladies! Never has the realm of tapestry and weaving been spoken about about with such respect, and lack of annoying puns. So good. xx