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.
Melbourne Jeweller 