American curator, writer and historian, Vicki Halper is visiting Australia in April from 1 – 21 April 2011. Craft Australia is bringing her to Australia because of her expert knowledge of contemporary craft and visual arts practice. This was the basis of her recent book, Choosing Craft: A History Told by Artists, which describes the influences that have shaped American craft through the writings of the artists.
Throughout her tour, Vicki will be giving talks about Choosing Craft, her focus will be on the roles of tradition and innovation within current craft practice. This includes her perspectives on the relationships between craft and design in industry and the historical foundations for this way of working. Vicki proposes to talk about these themes in her lectures. She is also interested in doing critique sessions with the students at the art schools in the universities she will be visiting. The other significant part of the tour is meeting some of the key makers and emerging artists in their studios. Proposed visits
- Sydney: Powerhouse Museum, Sabbia Gallery, Metalab, Object Gallery
- Canberra: Craft ACT, Canberra Glassworks, and the decorative arts collection at the National Gallery of Australia.
- Adelaide: JamFactory, visits artists through a program planned by CraftSouth, and the collection of decorative arts held at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
- Melbourne: Craft Victoria, jewellery and ceramic studios and meet the artists at studios such as the Nicholson Building and the Abbotsford Convent, decorative arts collection at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Proposed talks:
- Sydney: University of Technology, Sydney,
the University of New South Wales, College of Fine Arts,talk details, Monday 4 April; - Sydney College of the Arts, Tuesday 5 April
- Canberra: ANU School of Art, Thursday 7 April, 2011
- Melbourne: A talk on jewellery at RMIT University
More info here.
