Articles - 27 October 2007
Studio Furnture 2008
Entries close later this month for Studio Furniture 2008. The aim of the competition and exhibition is to promote fine woodwork by makers from around Australia, particularly furniture, to the buying public via galleries and craft organisations.
The competition has been organised by Australian Wood Review magazine and has been generously sponsored with $10,000 in cash awards from Bungendore Wood Works Gallery. Selected works will feature in an exhibition that will open at Bungendore on Australia Day 2008. The exhibition is also supported by Craft Australia. Plans are being made to have pieces from the competition exhibited in a number of other galleries in the Hunter Valley and Tweed regions of NSW, in Queensland and on the NSW/Victoria border and possibly in other states as well throughout 2008.
If you are an established maker this is an opportunity to be part of what will be a landmark exhibition of Australian fine woodwork. If you're newer to the scene this is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain entry to some of Australia's premier wood and regional galleries, not to mention to sell your work and create a profile for yourself. Selected and award winning work will be featured in Australian Wood Review and promoted to other media.
"We're looking for ways to inform the public about the nature and value of studio furniture through the participation of designers, artists and makers and their work, and the place that work has in a commercial gallery," says Linda Nathan, editor of Australian Wood Review.
Studio Furniture could generally be defined as furniture designed and built by individuals as a means of expression with due concern given by the maker to the importance of originality, craftsmanship, consideration, personal commitment, material selection and function. It may range from a simple piece such as a decorative yet functional chair or stool through to a cabinet or full dining suite.
Bungendore Wood Works Gallery's Artistic Director, David MacLaren, has a clear view on the role of this style of work in the realm of a commercial gallery. He feels it is important to emphasise Studio Furniture as an 'holistic' practice, carried out by the designer/maker from concept to finished piece.
"It is crucial that the evaluation of furniture occurs independent of the maker's wishes, concerns, hopes and special pleading. Work must stand on its own and self expression, though it may be important as a way of bringing the work into the world, is a concept that may need to be compromised if the work is to appeal to the buying public," says MacLaren.
The competition brief is for a well-considered and crafted piece of furniture, made with saleability with a gallery setting in mind. The design and finish should communicate a studio furniture attitude; that is, an emphasis on individually designed and made work.
Competition pieces would show an appropriate use of handwork so as to distinguish it from mass-produced manufacture. Entries are to describe and detail the concept, materials and techniques used. Wood and/or wood products (manufactured boards) are to be the primary material used for entries, however other materials may be incorporated.
Entry to the competition is open to all makers: professional, non-professional and student. Eligible works would include, but not necessarily be restricted to, tables, chairs, cabinets, boxes, mirrors, clocks or furniture with combined functionality.
Items produced in limited production runs (2-100) are also eligible. Entries will have been made within 12 months prior to November 28, and not previously exhibited (except for student work) and it must be for sale. Staff and family members of Australian Wood Review, gallery owners and competition judges may not enter however contributing writers to AWR may enter the competition.
Three cash prizes will be awarded: First $5,000, Second $3,000, Third $2,000.
Selected pieces from the competition will be required for an extended period to accommodate the envisaged touring exhibition program before being available for either shipping to their purchaser or return to the maker. Transport and insurance costs to Bungendore must be paid for by the maker.
For your work to be selected to be part of the Studio Furniture 2008 you will need to complete an entry form accompanied by a CD of high quality digital photographic images. Select six to eight images showing full and detail views of your piece. Include an image of yourself either with your piece or without. Please include the description of your entry as a Word file on the CD as well.
You may submit up to two entries. There is no entry fee. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and posted to the following address by 28 November 2007.
Australian Wood Review,
PO Box 4336,
Loganholme DC Qld 4129
Selected entries to be shipped to Bungendore Wood Works Gallery, NSW, by January 15, 2008. Awards will be announced at the exhibition opening on Australia Day, January 26, 2008.
The entry form can be downloaded from the Australian Wood Review website www.woodreview.com.au. Feel free to email Linda Nathan on linda@woodreview.com.au if you have any questions.
Bungendore Wood Works Gallery
October, 2007
