Object Season 1: Australia's Masters of Craft

Object Season 1: Australia's Masters of Craft

Author: Australian Design Centre October 2, 2021 Duration: 2:14

Meet seven creative Australians who've dedicated their lives to mastering ceramics, jewellery, metal and textiles. Why does their work matter? How do they keep going? How does working in Australia impact their work? What’s their advice for makers now? 

<p>Prue Venables, Jeff Mincham, Lola Greeno, Liz Williamson, Les Blakebrough, Marian Hosking and Robert Baines are recognised by the Australian Design Centre as 'Living Treasures' because of their contributions to contemporary craft and design. </p>

<p>In Season 1 of Object: Stories in design and craft, find out what makes them tick, how they've mastered their craft, and how they advocate for craft and design in Australia. </p>


There’s a story held within every object shaped by human hands, and Object: stories of design and craft from the Australian Design Centre is where those narratives unfold. This isn't a lecture series, but a series of conversations that pull up a chair beside the makers themselves. You’ll hear the subtle sounds of the studio and the thoughtful pauses as artists and designers explain not just how they work, but why. The focus is firmly on contemporary Australian practice, moving from broad explorations to deep dives into specific disciplines. For instance, one season is dedicated entirely to the world of ceramics, tracing the journey from raw material to finished piece. The most recent season offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the 2023 MAKE Award, a major national prize for innovation. Through this podcast, you’ll meet the winner, Vipoo Srivilasa, alongside finalists like the collective High Tea with Mrs Woo and artists Julie Blyfield, Csongvay Blackwood, and Johannes Kuhnen. The perspectives of award judges, including Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho, and Brian Parkes, add another layer to the understanding of what drives contemporary craft forward. Each episode is a quiet immersion into the material, intellectual, and personal processes that define today's most compelling creative work.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 24

Object: stories of design and craft
Podcast Episodes
Prue Venables [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:40
Prue Venables is one of Australia’s most accomplished ceramics artist. Hear how Prue went from a career in science to pottery; how three tiny porcelain jugs changed everything for her; and her controversial advice for ne…
Lola Greeno [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:48
Lola Greeno is an award winning Tasmanian Aboriginal shell worker and artist. Lola uses maireener shells, sometimes called rainbow kelp shells to make shell necklaces. It's the oldest continuing cultural practice in Tasm…
Jeff Mincham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
Jeff Mincham AM is one of Australia's most prominent ceramic artists. Hear what it was like to witness the birth of the Australian Crafts Movement, how Jeff deals with success and failure, and his characteristically blun…