Articles - 29 July 2007

Object Gallery and Indigenous craft and design

Object Gallery has showcased Indigenous craft and design consistently for more than four decades. Since the beginning of 2000 when the current Director (Steven Pozel) and Associate Director (Brian Parkes) joined the organisation the scope and scale of the Indigenous content has been deliberately enhanced. The most significant highlights of this period are outlined below. These important projects have enabled Object to develop strong networks throughout the Indigenous arts industry and to gain valuable expertise in understanding cultural differences, contexts and protocols.

Object has also sought to consistently include the work of Indigenous makers in important group exhibitions such as the inclusion of Lola Greeno's shell necklaces in Design Island: contemporary design from Tasmania, 2004 and works by several artists from the Tiwi Islands and north east Arnhem Land in Freestyle: new Australian design for living, 2006-08. The organisation's commitment to Indigenous work has also been delivered extensively through Object magazine. View images

Work has begun on a new major touring exhibition, in partnership with the Australian Museum, which will focus on sculptural works depicting a wide variety of animal forms by Indigenous artists from across the country. The yet to be titled exhibition will open in 2009 and present the breadth of Indigenous sculptural practice: ceramics from the Tiwi Islands and Hermannsburg; fibre-based works from the South East and Arnhem Land; various styles of wood carving; mixed media assemblages by urban Indigenous artists; and much more. The kinds of works being considered are to varying extents examples of great craftsmanship or sculptural mastery as well as objects of totemic value, carrying stories and spiritual meaning that can be conveyed to broad audiences.

This exhibition will build on the success of Object's recent landmark shows, which are outlined below;

Inland / Island, 2000

Curator: Diane Moon

The title Inland / Island was a reference to the cultural, aesthetic and social links connecting Indigenous people of Australia's islands with those of the coastal fringe and inland regions in a complex network which spans great distances. Works included were by artists from the Torres Strait Islands, K'gari (Fraser Island), Gununa (Mornington Island), Tasmania, the Kimberley, Ramingining, Maningrida, Cairns, Ravenshoe, Jumbun and Mt Guide. The exhibition addressed issues of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists' practical and spiritual connection with the natural world and 'scientific' knowledge of their environment. Included were contemporary innovative pieces and others associated with ceremony, performance, travel, hunting, adornment and historic events. Many of the works from this exhibition have since ended up in major public collections.

Art on a String
Threaded objects from the Central Desert and Arnhem Land, 2001-04

Curators: Louise Hamby and Diana Young

Art on a String was a major touring exhibition of threaded or beaded objects by Indigenous women artists. It focused specifically on works by artists from Arnhem Land and the Central Desert. Contrasts and connections between artists and regions were established through the exhibition's design and developed in depth within the thoroughly researched and substantial exhibition catalogue, which has been distributed nationally and internationally.

Art on a String included almost 100 works by 60 artists. The vast distances and terrain from which the works were collected was reflected in the range of materials used - from seeds, shells, feathers, bones and natural dyestuffs, to wooden beads and acrylic paints.

This influential exhibition travelled to ten venues nationally and was supported by an education kit. Most venues also conducted significant public programs in conjunction with the exhibition.

Woven Forms: Contemporary basket making in Australia, 2005-07

Curators: Lindy Allen, Trish Barnard, Lola Greeno, Louise Hamby, Virginia Kaiser, Andrew Nicholls and Brian Parkes

Woven Forms is a unique survey exhibition that brings together outstanding work by Indigenous and non-Indigenous basket makers across Australia. It illustrates the breadth of contemporary practice and includes significant senior practitioners as well as emerging artists demonstrating the value and influence of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous traditions on the continuing evolution of basket making and fibre practice.

The exhibition will complete its two-year national tour at the JamFactory in Adelaide at the end of this year. There are 58 contemporary fibre artists in the show, working in a range of techniques and materials including pandandus, spinifex and other natural plant fibres through to fencing wire and recycled plastics.

Woven Forms has an accompanying education kit and substantial 104-page catalogue. It shows the diversity and richness of contemporary basket making, demonstrating beauty and refinement of technique as well as artists' connections to traditions and knowledge and the exchange and preservation of culture.

Brian Parkes
Associate Director
Object:Australian Centre for Craft and Design
July, 2007

Brian Parkes has been Associate Director at Object since January 2000. He manages Object's artistic programs and curated the exhibition Freestyle: new Australian design for living, which will be on at the Art Gallery of South Australia from 17 August to 14 October 2007.

Also see: 716 craft·design Issue #23 August 2007
Special issue on Indigenous craft and design