‘Containment’ @ NGV

The 2012 Cicely & Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award is exhibited as ‘Containment‘, at the National Gallery of Victoria Ian Potter Centre.

I was looking forward to seeing this exhibition as the lovely Katherine Wheeler [artist profile] was part of it – and I wasn’t disappointed, her collection was astonishing.

Katherine Wheeler; photograph with gallery permission

Exhibition media: “The Cicely & Colin Rigg Contemporary Design Award is a generous legacy of the late Colin Rigg (1895-1982), a former Secretary of the Felton Bequests’ Committee. This ‘Award of Excellence’ focuses on contemporary design practice in the state of Victoria and is a reflection of the NGV’s continuing support for and commitment to contemporary design. It is arguably the richest and most prestigious prize ever offered to a contemporary designer in Australia, with a prize of $30,000. Held every three years, each exhibition is devoted to a particular design discipline. The past five exhibitions, in 1994, 1997, 2003, 2006, and 2009 represented ceramics, metalwork, textiles, jewellery and furniture design respectively. In 2012 the exhibition is dedicated to vessels and the notion of containment.“

I also loved Robin Bold’s group too. This is such a striking group of magnificent vessels; I really wanted to bring one home, especially one with the little ‘egg’ insert (see my previous adoration of her work).

Robin Bold; photograph taken with gallery permission

Participating artists (alphabetical by first name) are:

• David Pottinger (nerikomi ceramics)
• David Ray [website]
• Emma Davies [website]
• Garry Bish (ceramics)
• Ian Mowbray (glass)
• Katherine Wheeler [website, blog]
• Marian Hosking [website] – recipient of the award [article]
• Mark Edgoose [website]
• Neville French [website]
• Owen Rye [website]
• Richard Morrell [website]
• Robin Bold (metalsmith)
• Titania Henderson (ceramics)
• Yhonnie Scarce (glass / metal)

There are some wonderful images on the NGV exhibition page.

I felt the weight of the ceramics here; which isn’t a criticism but my personal response to the medium. There were representatives of metalwork, ceramics and glass; though I couldn’t help but wonder if other media or artists could have qualified to be included in a ‘Containment‘ contemplation, like woodwork or paper or even something entirely sculptural (remembering that ‘craft’ was central to this award). Though I imagine there are criteria I just don’t know about.

This exhibition has also been written about on HandMadeLife – interestingly they also wonder what other media could be included, adding textiles (basket weaving) to my above list.

‘Containment‘ is at NGV Ian Potter Center until 21st July 2013.

‘Radiance: The Neo-Impressionists’ @ NGV

When I studied Art in high school – only up to grade 10, I had to choose between advanced maths and art for grades 11 & 12, it wasn’t permitted to do both; it was an outrage I tell you, and broke my heart, but I digress – I was particularly attracted to Impressionism.

So it was quite a joy to visit ‘Radiance: The Neo-Impressionists‘ at the National Gallery of Victoria. Even more reason to make me happy was that it was the first time I’ve been to the NGV for over a year or more.

It was refreshing to see artists other than the most well-known of the movement: Georges Seurat, Camille Pissarro and Paul Signac. Though of course their works are amazing. Maximillian Luce and Henri-Edmond Cross were revelations to me.

My favourites of the exhibition were many. Naturally photography was not permitted (this is not a free exhibition), so I will link to the website images.

• Paul Signac, ‘The Pont of Saint-Tropez‘; it was fascinating to see the marked-up proof lithograph and the final
• Maximillian Luce, ‘The Louvre and the Pont du Carrousel, night effect‘; so much of the art work of this movement focus on daylight, but this is a night-time one (of a few in the exhibition) and it is stunning
  

  exhibition media; click on image for original source

• Camille Pissarro, ‘Charing Cross Bridge, London‘; I also love the frame
• Georges Seurat, ‘Beach at Gravelines‘; a beautiful intimate little delight
• Henri-Edmond Cross, ‘Toulon, winter morning‘; brush strokes more like tesserae than points and much bolder colours
• Henri-Edmond Cross, ‘The Breaking Sea‘; colouring tending toward Expressionism
  

  exhibition media; click on image for original source

• Paul Signac, ‘Avignon, morning‘ and ‘Avignon, evening‘; beautiful little watercolour sketches
  

  exhibition media; click on image for original source

• Achille Lauge, ‘Portrait of Madame Astre‘; an astonishing large scale study in whites

An excellent quote was on one of the walls: “The belief that the Neo-Impressionists are painters who cover their canvases with multi-colour little dots is a very widespread error … the Neo-Impressionist does not dot, he divides.” Paul Signac

A few observations as I walked around the two rooms of artworks:

• The lithographs were a surprise, their washed out colours so beautiful and muted.
• The term ‘Divisionism‘ was also new to me.
• Pointellism must in a way constrain the ability for an artist to differentiate their work; as the brushstrokes are similar to others using the method; though I imagine they can be individualistic about the size of their dots, the colour palette, the degree of realism and definitions … so maybe it’s not such a limitation.
• I noticed that there was no audio-tour but that many of the images had those little pixel boxes for smart phones; as you can tell by the simple fact I don’t know what they’re called that I have an old-fashioned phone device, so was unable to unlock these little extra snippets of knowledge. I thought this was a bit ‘exclusionist’, and would have liked the option of an audio-tour. Though that said, I recognise this is probably pretty great for international visitors as maybe it would show up in their native language – yes?

I enjoyed the visit, it was wonderful to feel well enough to wander about an exhibition for nearly an hour and fill the visual-image-well; but by the end was suffering a little of pastel and pixel overload.

‘Radiance: The Neo-Impressionists‘ is at NGV until 17th March 2013.

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Update (25th February): it was remiss of me not to mention that this exhibition has a lot of little tips for children – I thought these were especially thoughtful and engaging.

Others have reviewed the exhibition: Hannah Duke, Hannah Duke for Melbourne Pulse, Catharine of Pondering Art,  Peter Madden for Kryztoff, Howard of Extemporanea.

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Makers Mark auction today

The auction of Makers Mark jewellery is this morning.

I sent an email to the NGV (as well as sending the same via their facebook page too) …. begging them to consider purchasing some amazing jewellery at this auction. Sadly, I received no response.

I recognise that the staff at the gallery are very busy people (when I’m my more usual fabulous self, I’m a professional too and understand how busy work-life is); though it’s not exactly encouraging to supporters of the gallery that I’m offered no response at all. What did I expect you may ask? Not a whole lot in all seriousness, perhaps just a two-liner saying thanks for the information and they’re looking into it. It’s not a big deal, though I do hope they’ll be sending a representative today…

Anyhoo, if you’re going today I wish you all the luck in the whole wide world in bidding for your coveted piece! I’d love to hear about it …

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Update (13th September): the results of the auction are here

‘Unexpected Pleasures’ @ NGV

It’s only taken me three months (humpf), but I have finally managed to get a lucky day when everything is just right to visit ‘Unexpected Pleasures: The Art and Design of Contemporary Jewellery‘ at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV).

image taken with gallery permission

Exhibition media: “Unexpected Pleasures looks at what we mean by jewellery from a number of different perspectives.  Taking as its starting point the radical experiments of the Contemporary Jewellery Movement that challenged a conventional understanding of the language of personal adornment, and looking instead at the essential meanings of jewellery, the exhibition brings together important work from around the world, and looks at it from the point of view of the wearer as well as the maker. Contemporary  Jewellery in this sense is at the intersection of art and design.  Curated by Dr. Susan Cohn for the Design Museum, London with exhibition design by Ab Rogers Design and graphics by Barnbrook.“

image taken with gallery permission

There is so much to look at. As you can see in the two images above, the large room is split into two distinct areas – one with body-height plinths and video and photography, and the other very austere with hip-height plinths.

image taken with gallery permission

The scale of this exhibition is incredibly impressive.

Over the years I’ve been described by others, and am beginning to own the descriptor, as conservative in my aesthetics. I found this experience while visiting ‘Schmuck’ a few years ago, and again in this exhibition – I respond more to pieces that are quieter and restrained. It’s not that I don’t like the other work, nor that I don’t appreciate it (for I certainly do!) … it’s just a personal tendency.

Though that said, it may surprise and seem rather inconsistent that one my favourite pieces here is the neckpiece below: Ruudt Peters, Lingum 14 Black.

Ruudt Peters, Lingum 14 Black; image taken with gallery permission (no flash)

Other pieces I liked very much included a Bettina Speckner brooch and:

• John Iversen, Cracked Up, 2009-10 (image here)
• Beppe Kesler, Timeless, 2008 (artist’s site)
• Shunichiro Nakashima, Maki Series, 2012 (images of similar here)
• Gilbert Riedelbauch, CSH Brooch, 2001 (image on artist’s blog)
• Robert Smit, Square, 1991 (image here)
• Tjep, Bling Bling, 2002 (image on artist’s site)

The many many pieces in the exhibition are grouped sympathetically and I like the story it tells. The cabinet work is spectacular too.

Many other writers / bloggers have already seen and written about this exhibition, among them:

• Kevin Murray, on Craft Unbound
• Natasha Sutila, on Pattern Shape and Process
• Zoe Brand, on Maker Wearer Viewer
• Marcus Bunyan, on Art Blart

I’m still processing my visit … I can so easily get overwhelmed with so much to look at.

‘Unexpected Pleasures‘ is at NGV until 26th August 2012.
There are still a number of events attached to the exhibition – so check on their site to join in.

On the radio

In connection with the NGV ‘Unexpected Pleasures’ exhibition (which I’m hoping I can actually get to next week!), yesterday ABC Radio National showcased a conversation on contemporary jewellery: “The Panel looks at the craft of jewellery making and its role in contemporary life”.

screen shot of ABC Radio site; taken 17thMay2012

There are some lovely images on their site page too – worth visiting just for that!

Conversation contributors were Susan Cohn, Julia Deville and Christopher Menz.

No, I haven’t listened to it yet – I will soon and perhaps write some thoughts about it.
I’d like to hear your thoughts too – if you want to share that is….

‘Unexpected Pleasures’ @ NGV

This super special contemporary jewellery exhibition, ‘UNEXPECTED PLEASURES: The Art and Design of Contemporary Jewellery‘, opened at the National Gallery of Victoria last night.

exhibition media

I should be at the lecture tonight, sadly though am not feeling so hot right now. So if anyone wants to send their impressions as comments or emails, I’d love to receive them!

There has already been some media on the exhibition:

• The Age: video (with lots of images of pieces and an interview with Susan Cohn)
• ‘The ugliest and loveliest of jewellery on show’, story (Sydney Morning Herald)
  … or here (dailylife; similar text but with more images)

One of my favourite quotes so far (I’m sure I’ll have more later) is from Susan Cohn:
”After procreation and survival, our next instinct as humans is adornment,” Cohn said when asked, ”Why?”
”Adornment is about attracting a mate, which in turn, is about procreation and survival.”

exhibition media

‘UNEXPECTED PLEASURES‘ (no, I’m not sure why it’s in capitals!) is at NGV until 26th August 2012.

Contemporary jewellery coming to NGV

April sees the opening of an exhibition at the NGV I’m pretty excited about: “Unexpected Pleasures: The Art and Design of Contemporary Jewellery“.

exhibition media; click on image for original source

Exhibition media:

“A Design Museum, London touring exhibition

Unexpected Pleasures looks at what we mean by jewellery from a number of different perspectives. Taking as its starting point the radical experiments of the Contemporary Jewellery Movement that challenged a conventional understanding of the language of personal adornment, and looking instead at the essential meanings of jewellery, the exhibition brings together important work from around the world, and looks at it from the point of view of the wearer as well as the maker. Contemporary Jewellery in this sense is at the intersection of art and design.

Curated by Dr. Susan Cohn for the Design Museum, London with exhibition design by Ab Rogers Design and graphics by Barnbrook.“

‘Unexpected Pleasures‘ will be at NGV International from 20th April to 26th August 2012. There is also a lecture and preview on the opening day.