Transformation: 2021 Craft ACT annual members exhibition call out
2021 Craft ACT annual members exhibition call out
This year's Craft ACT members exhibition, Transformation, will celebrate the ways raw materials and ideas are transformed into original craft and design pieces that creatively express layers of meaning, history and connection.
As the centrepiece of Craft ACT’s 50th – golden – anniversary, the exhibition will also explore the values, tradition and symbolism of gold. Beyond its colour and shine, gold reflects alchemy, prosperity and transformation – symbolic of Craft ACT’s growth over the years.
A Craft ACT curated exhibition, current Craft ACT Accredited Professional Members and Associate Members are invited to submit proposed works for inclusion in Transformation: 2021 Craft ACT members exhibition.
The theme of transformation is broadly defined and could include work which reflects how you:
- showcase contemporary expressions of craft and design
- unite time-honoured techniques with modern interpretations
- forge new relationships to materials
- invest time to learn and develop techniques, skill and practice
- pay respect to craft’s tradition of exchange, mentoring and collaboration
- nourish and sustain collective wellbeing.
Last year's members exhibition, c/o Craft, received proposals from over 75 artists and over 80 works were selected, helping to shape and secure the future of craft and design.
In his 2020 exhibition essay Glenn Adamson (American curator, writer and historian) wrote,“you see so many things in the [Craft] ACT show that have that kind of combination of values, of respect and creativity. And that's really what you come to craft for… you don't come to it just to be reminded of what you already love. You also come to it to see things that are new. Equally you don't just come to it for novelty. You also come to it for a kind of foundational experience of culture. And I think the show does that marvelously”.
The exhibition was also well received by local media with Meredith Hinchliffe from City News commenting, "The exhibiting artists are working at the top of their fields. Canberra is privileged to see such a range of work that is of consistently high quality."
We hope that this year’s exhibition will achieve the same level of success and community support, to reflect the excellent work and deep engagement with contemporary craft and design in the Canberra region. The 2021 members exhibition will coincide with the DESIGN Canberra festival (8-28 November 2021) which shares the Transformation theme.
We invite you to submit images of two different pieces (made within the past two years) proposed for the exhibition in the Craft ACT gallery. This will help Craft ACT to thoughtfully curate the exhibition and present your work at its best. These two works can be a single object or a small series (in case of works larger than 1m in any direction, please contact us to discuss your proposal before submitting).
The deadline for submissions is 11.59 pm, 1 August 2021
Renew or become an Associate or Accredited Professional member.
Please contact Madisyn Zabel, Gallery Manager gallery@craftact.org.au if you have any questions.