Annual Report 2016
Contents 01 05 08 14 36 45 Welcome messages Director s message Chair s message Vision - Mission - Values Who we are Board and committees ADC staff Who we work with Creative collaborators Australian Design Honours Year in review 2016 2016 Exhibitions ADC On Tour Object Shop Digital programs Events and learning Award winners Research and development Facts and figures 2016 What we re working on 2017 Creative program review 2017 Our supporters Partners and donors
Director s message Lisa Cahill Welcome to the Australian Design Centre In 2015, we celebrated 50 years of nurturing and supporting contemporary craft and design. 2016 was the year for consolidating in our new home in William Street and planning our next phase. In February, at the end of a three year national tour, we brought back some highlights from CUSP: Designing into the Next Decade, an exhibition that demonstrated the power of design to address perplexing future scenarios. We followed this with an equally future focused exhibition Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future at the beginning of its national tour. April saw former director Steve Pozel leave us to embark on his new chapter. I want to pay tribute to Steve s leadership over 16 years and his legacy. It is a privilege for me to carry his legacy forward and build on it into the future. The news of reductions in government funding was difficult and disappointing for us as it was for many other small to medium organisations. After years of investment in ADC and sustained support for craft and design, the ramifications of these decisions are yet to be fully realised. We had to make some big changes for ADC to Our work provides opportunities for makers and designers to further their careers and contribute to an Australia made better by their innovative, thoughtful, beautiful and heartfelt work. continue to thrive in the face of a shrinking pool of support. Many people gave generously of their time and their experience to talk with me about possible future directions for ADC. This feedback gave us the impetus to take stock and pivot our programming. In July we presented Clay Intersections, a beautiful exhibition that enabled us to connect with the clay community and create experiences for our audiences to get their hands muddy and make stuff. We also held our first outdoor makers market which was a great success activating an otherwise unused pocket of inner city Darlo. 1 2
We were very proud to present Indigenous Design in September, a project that had seen my team work closely with two young emerging designers towards a beautiful and meaningful outcome. Similarly, our partnership with UNSW Art & Design saw the inaugural graduate presentation of Designing Bright Futures that resulted in two graduates selected for 2017 Milan Design Week. Our commitment over decades to tour excellent contemporary craft and design exhibitions to regional Australia was acknowledged with a $100,000 Australia Council project grant for ADC On Tour. We were also successful in receiving Visions Australia funding of $137,000 for a new touring exhibition from 2017, Object Therapy. Behind the scenes our small team has worked very hard to get the best results and forge new partnerships and collaborations that will help us to continue to produce great work. I thank them for a magnificent effort. The Board, led by Diana D Ambra, has shown an extraordinary level of commitment and belief in ADC and I thank current and former board members for their volunteer time and valuable input. 2016, while not without its difficulties, has seen ADC emerge as a vibrant, agile organisation committed to engaging audiences with the very best craft and design. Our work provides opportunities for makers and designers to further their careers and contribute to an Australia made better by their innovative, thoughtful, beautiful and heartfelt work. My thanks to them all. We look forward to collaborating and making great things happen in 2017 and beyond. It s my pleasure to present this report of our annual activities for 2016 including a preview of what we have planned for 2017. Chair s message Diana D Ambra As one of Australia s leading organisations for contemporary craft and design, Australian Design Centre has continued to provide opportunities for artists to showcase their work and reach broad audiences across the country. The ADC team, under the strong leadership of Director Lisa Cahill, and our creative collaborators have delivered an outstanding program that offers insights into the innovative potential of contemporary craft and design. On behalf of the ADC Board, I am pleased to report another year of sustained achievement. Funding reductions at the Federal and State level have been severe but restructuring our operations early in the year has enabled ADC to produce an excellent program from a lower funding base. The Board and staff thank our creative collaborators, partners, donors, volunteers and audiences for making 2016 a great year for contemporary craft and design. Vision Mission Values We believe making and design is core to human endeavor. We are a leading craft and design centre that connects audiences to creative practice through showcasing excellence and innovation. Our exhibition program supports and provides opportunities for Australian practitioners. We showcase the best craft and design across the country and share it with the rest of the world. We tour our exhibitions through regional Australia reaching and engaging broad new audiences. Importantly, in our work we involve young Australians. We use the tools and methodologies found in design practice today to develop their creative skills through our programs. 3 4
Who we are Board and committees Board of Directors 2016 Diana D Ambra (Chair), Jenny Green, Andrew Simpson, Oliver Smith, Rowena Westphalen Former Directors 2016 Lisa Bora, Sacha Coles, Barry McWilliams, Kingsley Mundey, Jordan Nguyen The Observership Program ADC is participating in The Observership Program where participants complete a year long program and observe a notfor-profit Board. Shannon Davis (2016), Dereck Armstrong (2017) ADC Advisory Group While the ADC Advisory Group has not formally met in 2016, many of these people have continued to support the ADC throughout the year. We thank them and the many other people who have given their time and expertise to help ADC through a difficult transitional year. Mark Armstrong, Caroline Baum, Jill Bennet, Suzanne Boccalatte, Chris Bosse, Cesar Cueva, Heidi Dokulil, Andy Dong, Kathy Elliot, Merran Esson, Theresa Famularo, Kiersten Fishburn, Stefanie Flaubert, Vince Frost, Ross Gibson, Brandon Gien, Stephen Goddard, Hank Haeusler, Janson Hews, Frank Howarth, Joanne Jakovich, Jane Jose, Ceinwen Kirk-Lennox, Margaret Kirkwood, Russel Koskela, Paul McGillick, Stephen Ormandy, Dean Ormston, Caroline Pidcock, Gerard Reinmuth, Mike Rigby, Emma Robertson, David Rohr, Raymond Scott, Jess Scully, Bridget Smyth, Lauren Tan, Maureen Thurston, Sasha Titchkosky, Lawrence Wallen, Liz Williamson, Terri Winter, Brian Zulaikha ADC On Tour Advisory Group Deborah Abrahams, Andrew Glassop, Kingsley Mundey, Brian Parkes ADC staff Director Lisa Cahill Strategy, Partnerships and Communications Jo Higgins Creative Strategy Manager Alix Fiveash Partnerships and Communications Manager Creative Programs Rhadi Bryant Programs Manager Larna Burgess Munro Program Producer Lisa O Hara Program Coordinator Hana Hoogedeure Program Assistant Ida Lawrence Gallery Assistant Finance and Operations Meghan Hay Financial Controller and Company Secretary Dianna Reed Administration and Events Coordinator Emma Thompson Accounts Officer Install Crew Sandra Brown, Justin Henderson, Danae Natsis, Luke O Donnell, Robert Pulie, Sean Van Doorum, Cameron Skelton Walter 5 6
Interns Johanna Aneman, Carmen Famularo, Benjamin Gleizman, Brittany Griffiths, Tharike Perera, Chanel Roistacher Former ADC Staff in 2016 Steven Pozel Director Claire McCaughan Head of Programs Annalyse McLeod Head of Community and Engagement Sandra Brown Touring Coordinator Rose Downie Learning Coordinator Su-Wen Leong Gallery and Events Coordinator Alex Porter-Hepworth Development & Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator Carrie Mulford Executive Assistant and Special Projects Coordinator Shauna Maguire Digital Media and Marketing Coordinator Patricia Laksmono Administration and Events Coordinator Georgia Windrum Program Producer Who we work with 7 8
Creative collaborators 2016 2017 We have the privilege of working with so many talented creatives. Whether they be makers, designers, architects, visual artists, art workers or performers crossing the divide, each and every one of them contribute to our diverse creative program offering. 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art Above the Canopy ACDC Network Adam Cornish Adam Goodrum ADC s Touring Venue Partners Agatha Pupaher Alessandro Di Sarno Alex Gilmour Alexander Tanazefti alexis eclectic Alison Fraser Alison Jackson Amy Tamblyn Andrea Bandoni Andrew Simpson Annabel Stevens Annette Mauer Annie Gobel Ben McCarthy Benja Harney Bic Tieu Blake Griffiths Brett Stone Bridget Bodenham Bridget Kennedy Cath Fogarty Charles Wilson Charlotte Haywood Chat-Kuen Yeung Cherie Peyton Chili Philly Chris Hardy Christopher Boots Claire McCaughan Clay Canoe Cone 11 Corr Blimey Cynden Adams Daggy Designs Dale Hardiman Daniel Emma Deb Taylor Doodad + Fandango Dowel Jones Dr David Ackland Dylan Martorell Eggpicnic Elaine Saunders Elbowrkshp Elise Cakebread Elizabeth Redman Eloise Rankine Emil and Nomel Emily Besser Emily Copp Emily McCulloch Childs Emily McDaniel Emily Walder Emma Elizabeth Emma Young Erin Keys Fernella Kernebone Floyd Mueller Fortynine Studio Franchesca Cubillo Françoise Dupré Fukutoshi Gary Galego Godfried Donkor Greg More Guy Keulemans Halie Rubenis Harriet Watts Haus of Dizzy Hayden Youlley Helen Earl Henry Ellis-Paul Henry Wilson Herbert and Friends Hillary Jones Holly Macdonald Hotel Hotel Inside J.oB Interbrand Jakeb Love Jasper Powrie Jeff McCann Jenny Newman Jess Scully Jessica Ticchio Jilda Andrews Jinlong Song Jon Goulder Joni Taylor Julie Patterson Julie Ryder Karen Erdos Karmme Kate Banazi Kate Stokes Katherine Mahoney Kelaoke Kenji Uranishi Kirsten Fredericks Kyoko Hashimoto Leah Heiss Liam Mugavin Lily Hambling Linda Blair Little White Dish Lola Greeno Lorris Williams Lorris Williams Snr Louis Pratt Louise Mstudio Louise Taper Lousje Skala Lucy Simpson Lukasz Karluk Lyn and Tony Makerspace & Co Mama Creatives Marc Harrison Matt Conway Melanie Ihnen Melinda Young Melissa Knothe Tate Melissa Silk Michael Askew Michael Eden Milly Dent modernmurri Modfab Monique van Nieuwland Mr Somebody & Mr Nobody Nadya van Ewyk Naomi Taplin Nardi Simpson Natalie Duncan Natalie Rosin Nicole Monks Nicole Robins Nikita Margarita Niklavs Rubenis Nila Rezaei Ode Pamela Johnson Penny Craswell Pete Hong Peter McCarthy Public Holiday Rachel Drake Rebecca Liston Red Ruby Scarlett Richard Whiteley Rohan Nicol Ross Gardam Ryan McGoldrick Ryan Pennings Sally Cooper Samantha Robinson Sandra King Sassy Park Scott Duncan Scott Mitchell Sean Jackson Slip Ceramics SMaRT@UNSW Sophia Emmett Stephen Goddard Stephen Mushin Studio Enti Super Critical Mass Susannah Bourke Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Sydney Glam + Alliance Tania Rolland Tara Burke Terri Winter Thought Collider Timna Taylor Tom Fereday Tom Skeehan Toril Johannessen Trade the Mark Trent Jansen Uber Kate Ulrica Trulsson UNSW Art & Design Vanessa Ion Wild Fibres Women in the Arts Xavier Modoux XYZ Workshop Yasmina Black Yutaka Ohtaki Zoë MacDonell Zuku Jewellery 9 10
Australian Design Honours Australian Design Honours was created by ADC in 2015 to commemorate our 50th anniversary. It is intended as a living and growing resource to acknowledge leaders in craft and design. To date, 100 Australians have been recognised with another cohort to be announced in 2017. We were saddened by the passing of three design luminaries in 2016 Klaus Moje AO, Paul Pholeros AM and Robert Foster. Adam Goodrum Addison Marshall Akira Isogawa Alexander Lotersztain Alison Page Andrew Simpson Ben Moir Benja Harney Dr Brandon Gien Brian Parkes Brian Zulaikha Brit Andresen Catherine Livingstone AO Cesar & Nina Cueva Chris Bosse Cinnamon Lee Clover Moore Damien Wright Eva Dijkstra & Michael Lugnayr Ewan McEoin Fenella Kernebone Prof Fiona Foley Florian Mueller Dr Gene Sherman AM Dr George Khut Glenn Murcutt AO Greg More Henry Wilson Hetti Perkins Jane Irwin Janet Laurence Janne Ryan Jeff Mincham AM Jenni Kemarre Martiniello Jess Scully Jessica Loughlin John O Callaghan Jon Goulder Jonathan Jones Julia deville Julie Blyfield Julie Paterson Kate Rhodes Kathy Elliot & Benjamin Edols Kelli Cole Kerstin Thompson Khai Liew Klaus Moje AO (1936 2016) Prof Lawrence Wallen Leah Heiss Les Blakebrough AM Liane Rossler Profs Lindsay & Kerry Clare Liz Williamson Lola Greeno Louise Olsen & Stephen Ormandy Lorraine Connelly-Northey Dr Louise Hamby Lucy Feagins Lucy Simpson Lukasz Karluk Lyn Balzer & Tony Perkins Lynda Dorrington Margot Osborne Dr Mari Velonaki Marian Hosking Margaret Kirkwood Mel Douglas Melinda Young Michael Alvisse Michael Bryce AM AE Nick Mount Nicole Foreshew Pamela Easton & Lydia Pearson Paul Pholeros AM (1953 2016) Patrick Hall Peter Stutchbury Dr Pippa Dickson Rachel Healy Rachel Neeson Prof Richard Whiteley Dr Robert Baines Robert Foster (1962 2016) Prof Roy Green Prof Sam Bucolo Sasha Titchkosky & Russel Koskela Shelley Penn Simone LeAmon Stefanie Flaubert & Janos Korban Stephen Goddard Stephen Mushin Dr Susan Cohn Dr Suzi Attiwill Terri Winter Timothy Horton Tony Albert Vince Frost Yvonne Koolmatrie 11 12
Year in review 2016 13 14
2016 Exhibitions In 2016, ADC began to consolidate our presence in the William Street creative precinct. Six main exhibitions were held with over 108 events during the course of the year. More than 17,000 people came to see the exhibitions, attend a workshop, talk or event or browsed in Object Shop. Migrations 4 January 27 February 2016 Exploring the notion of textiles as carriers of multiple cultural influences, Migrations traveled around Australia, United States and United Kingdom during 2015 2016, accompanied by its publication Cultural Threads: Transnational Textiles Today (Bloomsbury, 2015), edited by exhibition curator, Jessica Hemmings. Contemporary artists and designers created a collection of global stories in their textiles. Exhibiting at its season at Australian Design Centre were the works of Godfried Donkor, Françoise Dupré, Toril Johannessen, Pamela Johnson, Julie Ryder and Mr. Somebody & Mr. Nobody. Norwegian artist, Toril Johannessen, creates printed textiles with optical illusions aesthetically inspired by waxresist textile patterns, and was one of the works on display at Australian Design Centre. Migrations was an exciting opportunity to program international works in the centre s workshop space. 15 16
CUSP: Designing into the Next Decade 2 February 28 April 2016 CUSP: Designing into the Next Decade presented the future through five designers working on the cusp of what is possible. Featuring highlights from Floyd Mueller, Greg More, Leah Heiss, Stephen Mushin and Super Critical Mass, the designers looked deeply at the human problems we face today by asking questions and devising creative solutions through their design practice. The exhibition was first presented in 2013 with presenting partners Liverpool City Council and Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre with twelve designers: Chris Bosse, Healthabitat, George Khut, Anupama Kundoo, MaterialByProduct, Alison Page, Mari Velonaki, Leah Heiss, Greg More, Floyd Mueller, Stephen Mushin and Super Critical Mass. It completed its eight-stop national tour at ADC. 17 18
Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future 5 May 20 July 2016 What if 3D printing gave you the ability to design your own life? With clothes being printed from desktop computers and organs being manufactured in labs, this rapidly evolving technology continues to revolutionise design as we know it. In collaboration with Western Plains Cultural Centre, the Australian Design Centre launched Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future as a playful exploration of 3D printing. It s all about imagination, innovation and new methods of making; drawing on the high-tech and rapidly evolving world of 3D printing and fluid extrusion methodology. 3D printing is also built on sharing. Open source software and shared maker spaces mean anyone can try their hand at creating. During the industrial revolution, the machine was used to standardise everything. Now mass production is replaced by mass customisation. The designers and makers in the exhibition all began with a real-world idea. That idea is translated into a digital something a piece of code, a CAD model or perhaps a verse of music before being transformed into the final physical form. By experimenting with digital fabrication technologies, the designers have built on their traditional modes of making to create something entirely new. Featuring Louis Pratt, Michael Eden, Lousje Skala, Ryan Pennings, Dr David Ackland, Lukasz Karluk, and XYZ Workshop (Kae Woei Lim & Elena Low). Shapeshifters is touring Australia until 2018. 19 20
Clay Intersections 28 July 21 September 2016 Clay Intersections, curated by Cath Fogarty, presented the work of eight contemporary makers who take a range of innovative approaches to making and working with clay, exploring the different intersections of its sculptural and functional qualities. Highlighting the work of Bridget Bodenham, Cone 11 s Colin Hopkins and Ilona Topolcsanyi, Helen Earl, Tania Rollond, Natalie Rosin, Ulrica Trulsson and Kenji Uranishi, the artists in Clay Intersections draw their inspiration from the built or natural environment and how they interact with it whether in contemplation or in a practical sense enhancing the way we live. While some have been discovering the versatility of clay, setting new trends and engaging new audiences, others have set out to learn age-old practices of wheel forming, casting and hand building, spending countless hours developing techniques and mastering skills. Together, these eight artists are part of a new generation of craftspeople and designer-makers who have emerged alongside new and non-traditional market places outside the gallery and retail environment. Clay Intersections was presented as part of a vibrant ceramics community in Sydney that crosses paths with studios, educators, galleries and stores beyond the exhibition. Public programs included workshops, master-classes and a one-day curated ceramics market in September, that welcomed more than 5,000 visitors to this creative and thriving making network. Clay Intersections will tour selected regional galleries in 2018 2019. 21 22
Indigenous Design 29 September 23 November 2016 Australian Design Centre was delighted to present an exhibition of work by Nicole Monks and Lucy Simpson, the two recipients of the Arts NSW Indigenous Design Mentorship 2016. The two designers worked with Australian Design Centre and selected community and industry mentors throughout 2016 to develop work for this exhibition: Nicole Monks: Marlu (Kangaroo) and Lucy Simpson: Dhuwi. Funded by Arts NSW, the $20,000 Indigenous Design Mentorships were facilitated by Australian Design Centre. Nicole Monks designed a new furniture collection Marlu (Kangaroo). The collection included Nyinajimanha (Sitting Together), inspired by the campfire as a meeting place for women to weave, cook and pass down stories, and Wabarn Wabarn (Bounce), inspired by the movement of the kangaroo. Wabarn Wabarn was unveiled in October as part of an industry launch event. Lucy Simpson presented a mixed media sensory installation: Dhuwi, a translation of spirit / soul / central life / essence, developed and created with her family, Yuwaalaraay/ Gamilaraay community leaders and industry mentors and collaborators. The exhibition was curated by Emily McDaniel. 23 24
Designing Bright Futures 1 December 2016 25 January 2017 In December, Australian Design Centre was proud to present, in partnership with UNSW Art & Design, the inaugural exhibition Designing Bright Futures. Designing Bright Futures surveyed 11 of the most outstanding 2016 UNSW Art & Design graduating students across Bachelor and Masters of Design fields including jewellery, textiles, graphics, object, interactive and spatial design. Graduates were chosen for the ways in which their work explored and promoted ideas of innovation and sustainable practice, capacity for social impact, commercial viability and the role of design in advancing well-being. The Graduate Designers were: Alexander Tanazefti, Blake Griffiths, Cynden Adams, Jessica Ticchio, Jinlong Song & Chat-Kuen Yeung, Lily Hambling, Michael Askew, Nila Rezaei, Rachel Drake and Rebecca Liston. Showcased work includes; ethically and culturally considered textiles, mental health focused wearables, a therapeutic dementia aid, a repair kit for our material possessions and a climate reactive sculpture. This annual exhibition is important in celebrating the optimism, ideas and ambitions of the next generation of designers and makers as they move into the professional world. Designing Bright Futures continues ADC s commitment to education, our ongoing partnership with UNSW and to supporting the work of makers and designers at every stage in their career. The winner of the ADC UNSW Art & Design Award was shared by Blake Griffith and Jinlong Song & Chat-Kuen Eric Yeung. 25 26
ADC On Tour Touring has been central to our work for 50 years. Since the 1970s, ADC has toured nationally and been at the forefront of providing regional Australia with access to cutting edge work and ideas. Since 2006, more than 50% of our touring venues have been regionally based. Since 2005, we have presented 28 touring exhibitions that have made more than 210 stops at 64 different arts organisations across all states & territories. Collectively and to date, more than 1.2 million people have seen these exhibitions. Presenting our exhibitions, education and public program events, research and digital content across the country is just one of the many ways we actively nurture innovation in making and the development of new audiences for craft, art and design in Australia. Our annual program features more than 200 designers and our 2016 touring program presented the work of 22 artists in four exhibitions at 29 venues nationally including: Resolved: Journeys in Australian Design Featuring the work of: Adam Cornish, Adam Goodrum, Alex Gilmour, Ben McCarthy, Bic Tieu, Chris Hardy, Fukutoshi, Gary Galego, Kate Stokes, Marc Harrison, Matt Conway, and Zoë MacDonell Murray Art Museum, Albury, NSW 12 May 12 June 2016 Design Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 27 June 28 August 2016 Delmar Gallery, Trinity Grammar School, Ashfield, NSW 11 November 5 December 2016 Living Treasures Masters of Australian Craft, Lola Greeno Cultural Jewels Featuring the work of: Lola Greeno Cowra Gallery, NSW 12 December 7 February 2016 JamFactory Adelaide, SA 19 February 24 April 2016 Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery, WA 6 May 25 June 2016 Bunbury Regional Galleries, WA 28 October 4 December 2016 Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, WA 16 December 2016 1 February 2017 Cloth: From Seeds to Bloom Featuring the work of: Julie Patterson Gosford Regional Gallery, NSW 6 February 3 April 2016 Glasshouse Port Macquarie, NSW 13 May 10 July 2016 Tamworth Regional Art Gallery, NSW 2 September 16 October 2016 Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future Featuring the work of: Louis Pratt, Michael Eden, Lousje Skala, Ryan Pennings, Dr David Ackland, Lukasz Karluk, and XYZ Workshop (Kae Woei Lim & Elena Low) Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, NSW 23 January 17 April 2016 Australian Design Centre, NSW 5 May 20 July 2016 Sturt Gallery, Mittagong, NSW 31 July 11 September 2016 Devonport Regional Gallery, Devonport, TAS 30 September 13 November 2016 Design Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 25 November 2016 21 February 2017 ADC Touring History 28 Shows 210 Stops 303 Artists 64 National Venues 1/3 Indigenous Artists 6 International Venues Japan United Kingdom Hongkong Taiwan Singapore 1.2m Visitors Italy 27 28
Object Shop In September we re-opened our retail space within the Centre, Object Shop. Dedicating a window space and part of our lower gallery to a curated selection of the work of the best local Sydney makers has enabled us to provide further support to the creative community. In the first six months of operation, we have supported 38 makers. Meet the Maker events, an outdoor makers market and a Christmas market were popular activities during the year. 29 30
Digital programs In April, we launched our new website created by our partners at Interaction Consortium. The website serves as a platform and portal to other digital activities. During the year we were very active on our social media platforms, developing content, growing audiences for the work that we do and supportingthe work of our colleagues on their channels. Events and learning William Street was a hive of activity throughout the year. We hosted events for many partners including the School of Life, Mama Creatives, Digitalpress and Tropfest. Design Emergency, our design thinking program for children, was conducted across the country along with our touring exhibition programs. Partnering with ModFab, we ran some fantastic workshops on 3D printing for children and adults as part of Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future. Award winners Congratulations to the following students who were the winners of ADC Awards in 2016. ADC Career Development Award 2016 UNSW Built Environment Kate Bath ADC UNSW Art & Design Award 2016 Blake Griffiths Jinlong Song and Chat-Kuen Yeung ADC Graduate Award 2015 University of Technology Sydney Interior & Spacial Design, Integrated Product Design, Visual Communication, Architecture Aaimun Tariq, Alessio Colli, Eren Harding, Hannah Clifton, Tim Busuttil,Tran Dang 31 32
Research and development ADC History Early in the year before Steve Pozel departed he took on the task of writing some pivotal short essays on the history of ADC in its various incarnations and locations. These essays are a collection of stories that explore some of the histories of ADC with spotlights on collaborations and touring, design criticality, global, Indigenous, innovation and technology, emerging and established, which is further accompanied by a chronological timeline of our 50+ year history. The essays can be found on our website at: https://australiandesigncentre.com/about-promostory/history. Power of Making During the year with development funding from the Federal Government s Visions Australia program we began researching a new touring exhibition project. In 2015 former ADC Director Steve Pozel and Lisa Cahill had the beginnings of a big idea to embark on an exhibition project to showcase the awe inspiring innovation and creativity of the maker and at the same time focus on the fundamental human need to make. Lisa Cahill and Creative Strategy Manager Jo Higgins undertook research and developed this idea through a series of sector workshops. Having reflected on the research, discussions, makers, objects and experiences that we uncovered during our research, ADC is excited to announce that it s next major touring exhibition will draw on the work, ideas and experiences of 13 of Australia s most innovative and exciting makers to tell the stories of their expertise, obsessions and creative processes. OBSESSED! Compelled to Make will feature works including textiles, ceramics, glass, furniture, silver, weaving and object design and these objects will be accompanied by specially commissioned digital content exploring the distinct and deeply personal creative processes of each maker, from the maker s perspective. The exhibition will also feature a local component at each regional venue, exploring how the themes of the exhibition relate to local makers and audiences. With confirmed interest from 13 venues across the country for what will be a fouryear tour, we submitted a Visions of Australia touring application in March 2017 to produce OBSESSED! Compelled to Make and take it on the road. Stay tuned! Other Research ADC s commitment to long term research into all aspects of contemporary craft and design is ongoing and we are currently delving into subject areas and themes that we have not touched on in past exhibitions to determine what our future program might look like. A re-examination of the Living Treasures Masters of Australian Craft series is on the table along with several ideas for Indigenous projects. Funding realities drew us to seek more collaborative partners to produce exhibition content with shared overheads and much of the 2017 program is the result of the development of those partnerships. 33 34
Facts and figures 2016 102 artists involved in exhibitions and events 17,000 Sydney audience 6 touring exhibitions 38 artists represented in Object Shop 67,800 national regional audience 13 regional venues showing touring exhibitions 21 artists on tour nationally 2,018 children participated in education programs 98 Sydney exhibitions and events Media and Marketing 10,000+ subscribers to monthly e-newsletters 5,900 followers on Facebook 7,415 followers on Twitter 3,429 followers on Instagram 72,000 website visits Media interest was strong throughout the year particularly in print and digital media. Interaction via social media is increasingly the way we are communicating with audiences and the craft and design communities. What we re working on 2017 35 36
Creative program preview 2017 At ADC, we re always looking forward to present better experiences for our audiences and support more artists in the process. This section previews our major projects for 2017. Chili Philly: Crochet Social 2 February 29 March 2017 In February, ADC was delighted to present Chili Philly: Crochet Social, the first major solo exhibition of crochet wearable art by Melbournebased artist Phil Ferguson. Ferguson creates wearable crochet pieces that take the form of ordinary, everyday objects - from tacos to teabags - which are captured as self-portraits and uploaded onto Instagram. @chiliphilly has been wildly successful, amassing more than 140,000 followers. Combining well-developed craft skills with a gentle, self-deprecating humour, Ferguson s final self-portraits are a mix of video and photography that capture something of that awkward, lonely human experience. Ferguson is often called The Lonely Boy and his use of Instagram was originally a way to make friends and find an audience for his work. As part of the exhibition, ADC also presented a series of events and public programs inviting audiences to join the crochet craze. These included an adults-only Cocktails and Crochet night, kids workshops, artist talks, an industry panel discussion on the value of social media and a lively local makers market in Darlinghurst celebrating adornment in the lead up to Mardi Gras. Chili Philly: Crochet Social presented Ferguson s work as a social phenomenon that sits at the nexus of art, craft and social media, challenging how we understand and represent our ideas of self today. Ultimately though, Chili Philly: Crochet Social was a celebration of the importance of friends and community. The exhibition was presented as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Arts Festival with support from the City of Sydney. 37 38
Annie Gobel: Edge In 2 February 29 March 2017 Object Therapy 6 April 7 June 2017 In collaboration with 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, ADC presented the first Sydney exhibition of Melbourne and Jakarta-based jeweller Annie Gobel. Edge In reflects Gobel s interest in what was the first step of her childhood creative endeavours a thick, bold outline. Working from the edge in, this line has lifted from the page to become the emboldened black edge of her wearable sculptures in this new body of work. We hope this project marks the beginning of an ongoing collboration with 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art. Object Therapy is an exhibition and project exploring creative transformation and notions of value and repair. Object Therapy was a human research project by Hotel Hotel, developed in partnership with UNSW Art & Design and Australian National University School of Art & Design. The exhibition presents 29 broken objects that were submitted by members of the public before undergoing therapy. Items of furniture, ceramics, household appliances, textiles, jewellery, sentimental objects and even one human, were all treated and reimagined by noted Australian and international designers and artists including Trent Jansen, Liam Mugavin, Henry Wilson, Alison Jackson and Elise Cakebread among others. In transforming loved but broken items into objects of delight and surprise, Object Therapy showcases innovative design solutions while exploring the attachments we form with objects. It encourages us to rethink our material consumption while exploring and celebrating the role and creative possibilities of repair in society. ADC is delighted to be the presenting partner for Object Therapy and after the exhibition opens in Sydney, it will undertake a seven-stop national tour in partnership with Hotel Hotel and supported by the Federal Government s National Touring Program Visions Australia. Local Design/Milan Design 15 June 9 August 2017 Following on from the success at Milan Design Week in 2016, Local Design founder and curator Emma Elizabeth is returning to the prestigious Salone del Mobile in 2017 to present a new showcase of the best of contemporary Australian design to an international audience. Featuring the work of 11 designers including: ACV Studio, Adam Goodrum, Charles Wilson, Christopher Boots, Dowel Jones, Emma Elizabeth, Jon Goulder, Kate Banazi + Ryan McGoldrick, Ross Gardam, Tom Fereday and Tom Skeehan. In collaboration with Local Design, ADC will give audiences the opportunity to experience Local Design, presenting this curated exhibition on its return to Sydney. 39 40
Bioweaving 19 October 15 November 2017 In 2013 UNSW biomedical engineer Professor Melissa Knothe Tate undertook a weaving course in the United States, wanting to learn how to replicate the natural weave of the tissue around human bones. The Jacquard loom used in the class was to become a critical component in Tate s research into a future generation of smart materials inspired by nature. Tate s research has focused on the periosteum, the hyper-elastic protective tissue sleeve found around most of the body s bones. In mimicking this sophisticated and complex property of the human body, Tate and her team have been able to develop prototypes for a range of smart fabrics with the potential to transform the medical, safety and transport sectors. Showcasing her work and research at ADC, Bioweaving explores the technology, science and engineering involved in the process to demonstrate the possibilities when disruptive technology meets design aesthetic and form-function optimisation. Green Asylum 17 August 11 October 2017 Charlotte Haywood has a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to her practice that centres on a multilayered exploration of incongruous tensions between nature and culture, and pop and the primordial. Working across mediums - including textiles, sculpture, installation and the moving image - Haywood demonstrates an acute sensibility for connections between the traditional and the modern, exploring cross-cultural pollination. Her work has most recently begun to examine various forms of communication across cultures; landscape, technology, architecture, symbol, song and gestures of the body. Her work GREEN ASYLUM is an architectural textile video installation that looks at body gesture as language within Australia s diverse cultural and inherent landscape. Haywood pushes the boundaries of the ancient technology of tapestry weaving into architectural forms. This work looks to thread disparate narratives in a common landscape and questions the architectural frameworks of institutions, histories, public and sacred places within Australia. 41 42
Indigenous Jewellery Project: Bulayi 19 October 15 November 2017 Designing Bright Futures 23 November 2017 17 January 2018 An evolving nation-wide curated project, The Indigenous Jewellery Project focuses on Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander contemporary jewellery and small object making from workshops undertaken on Country at Indigenous owned art centres. Mediums include resin, silver and other metals as well as traditional natural materials. Part art project, part social enterprise, the aim of the Indigenous Jewellery Project is to strengthen and continue existing traditions and facilitate artists to develop a career as exhibiting contemporary artist jewellers through upskilling, involving developing practice and the use of professional jewellery materials. Curated by McCulloch & McCulloch codirector Emily McCulloch Childs, The Indigenous Jewellery Project connects contemporary jewellery galleries and jewelers, including Kate Rohde and Melinda Young with Indigenous art centres across Australia. It is focused on developing and maintaining Aboriginal jewellery and small object tradition and practice, reinforcing the connection to traditional lands and the natural world while developing a sophisticated contemporary art craft practice, in which works are created that both sit on the body and outside it. This presentation includes works and video documentation from the latest workshops, held at art centre Buku-Larrnggay Mulka at Yirrkala, in North-East Arnhem Land. Bulayi means treasure, or gold, in local Yolngu language. ADC is delighted to be presenting this project in 2017. Designing Bright Futures returns for its second iteration, continuing ADC s commitment to education, our ongoing partnership with UNSW Art & Design and to supporting the work of makers and designers at this early stage of their careers. Up to 12 graduates from across the Bachelor and Masters of Design courses will be chosen by a guest curator and ADC s Director. The ADC Designing Bright Futures Award will also be given to one outstanding designer. 43 44
Partners and donors We are grateful to all our partners for their generous support of Australian innovation and creativity. Whether it s government support, or the continued patronage of our valued donors, gifts of all sizes help us to continue to deliver a diverse program that connects audiences to creative practice through showcasing the best contemporary craft and design while providing opportunities to Australian makers. Australian Design Centre acknowledges the support and contribution of the State Government through Create NSW, City of Sydney and the Australian government through the Australia Council for the Arts and the Visions of Australia: Regional Exhibition Touring Program. Government partners Partners Our supporters Create NSW City of Sydney Visions of Australia Australia Council for the Arts Principal partner Interbrand Trusts and foundations Ian Potter Foundation Gordon Darling Foundation Art Month Authentic Design Alliance Built Chippendale Creative Precinct Destination Chippendale Digitalpress Frank Howarth Greencliff Interaction Consortium Karen Woodbury Gallery Kensington St. Liane McGrath ModFab 3D Printing Pozible Signwave Sydney Design The School of Life UNSW Art&Design UNSW Built Environment University of Technology Sydney VIVID Sydney Western Plains Cultural Centre Workshopped 45 46
Corporate donors Individual donors International Art Services Pty Ltd Signwave Newtown The Rug Collection Australia Beverage partners United Cellars 4 Pines Brewing Company Abigail Thomas Alan Rose Alix Fiveash Dr Andrew Barron & Steve Pozel Bridget Leece Carmel Sullivan Carol Hardwick Cone 11 Colin Hopkins & Ilona Topolcsanyi Crispin Rice Douglas Hay Guy Keulemans Leslie & Golda Green Louise Ingram Maisy Stapleton Meghan Hay Merryn Spencer Nicolie Eaton Sharlene Chin Sacha Coles Tim Collins Thank you 47 48
Images and credits Front Cover Lucy Simpson, Necklace for a Boy, 2016. Photo: Boaz Nothman Welcome messages Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future, School Holiday workshops with Modfab, 2016. Photo: Vincent Bure Who we are External ADC William St, 2016. Photo Boaz Nothman Australian Design Honours Klaus Moje, Puget Sound, 2011, Photo: Contact Photography Robert Foster, Ossalites. Photo: Courtesy of the artist Paul Pholeros, Nine Healthy Living Practices. Photo: Courtesy of the artist Year In review 2016 Nicole Monks, Yarning and yarning with nyinajimanha (Sitting Together), 2016. Photo: Boaz Nothman. Migrations Jessica Hemmings, Migrations (details), 2016. Photos: Susan Blackburn CUSP: Designing into the Next Decade Stephen Mushin, Aquaponics Ecology Project, (detail), 2013. Photo: Boaz Nothman Floyd Mueller, Hanging off a bar, 2010. Photo: Boaz Nothman CUSP opening night guests and designers Rowena Westphalen, Julian Day, Hon. Anthony Roberts MP, Leah Heiss, Greg More, 2016. Photo: Boaz Nothman Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future Ryan Pennings, Percy Stools, 2015. Photo: Boaz Nothman Lousje Skala, Calgary Necklace, 2015. Photo: Boaz Nothman Lukasz Karluk, HoloDecks, 2014. Photo: Boaz Nothman XYZ Workshop, inbloom, 2014. Photo: Boaz Nothman Clay Intersections Clay Intersections opening night, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Helen Earl, Casuarina Collection, 2015. Photo: Vincent Buret Ulrica Trulsson, Fluctuation, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Indigenous Design Nicole Monks, nyinajimanha (Sitting Together), 2016. Photo Boaz Nothman Nicole Monks, waburn-waburn (Bounce), 2016 featuring Nicole Monks and Terri Winter. Photo Boaz Nothman Lucy Simpson, Yilaalu Cont, 2016. Photo: Boaz Nothman Lucy Simpson, Mubirr, 2016. Photo: Boaz Nothman Designing Bright Futures Blake Griffiths, Carry On Carrying On, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Michael Askew, Open for Business, 2016. Photo: Alix Fiveash Nila Rezaei, Dispersion, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Object Shop Object Shop street view, 2016. Photo: Boaz Nothamn Clay Maker Market, street view, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Digital Programs/Learning Shapeshifters: 3D Printing the Future, School Holiday workshops with Modfab, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Award Winners Designing Bright Futures, Jinlong Song and Chat-Kuen Eric Yeung, 2016. Photo: Vincent Buret Research and development Clay Intersections, Cone 11 studio (detail), 2015. Photo: Erika Hilder Creative program preview 2017 Chili Philly, Hamburger Head, 2014. Photo: Boaz Nothman Susannah s Fan, 2016. Repaired by Susannah Bourke. Photo by Lee Grant. Image copyright Hotel Hotel. Local Milan, Group Shot Day Light, 2016. Photo: Fiona Susanto Portrait of Charlotte Haywood. Photo: Courtesy of the artist Object Therapy opening night, 2017. Photo: Boaz Nothman Our supporters Indigenous Design, Jarjum School visit, 2016. Rug donated by The Rug Collection, Australia. Photo: Rhadi Bryant. ADC photographers 2016 Vincent Buret Simon Cardwell Boaz Nothman ADC Annual Report 2016 Designed by Karen Kung 49 50
Notes
Audience Experience Creative Makers Collaboration Touring Events Artist Media Exhibitions Craft Digital Workshops Learning Content Design Retail Research Indigenous