MAKE Award works to go on show

AN EXHIBITION showing the best entries to Australia’s richest non-acquisitive prize for craft and design will be on show at Geelong Gallery next month.

Australian Design Centre (ADC) and Geelong Gallery launched the MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design last year.

The major new award celebrates innovation in contemporary craft and design.

In its first year, the MAKE Award received 187 entries across the fields of ceramics, glass, furniture, metal, jewellery, textiles and fibre.

The 30 finalists are designers/makers with a high level of skill either working with materials that are new to their practice, new or traditional materials, or working in new and innovative ways.

Last year’s MAKE Award winner Vipoo Srivilasa received a cash prize of $35,000, second prize winner Jessica Murtagh received $10,000, and Liz Williamson received a high commendation from the judges.

Geelong Gallery has since acquired Murtagh’s work “Self-checkout of Sisyphus”.

Based in Adelaide, Murtagh is early in her career but has quickly gained a reputation for her outstanding work in glass.

Specialising in blown glass, Murtagh uses sand carving and engraving techniques to create 21st century narratives that draw inspiration from classical artefacts and ancient Athenian ceramic amphoras, which often depict scenes of daily life. “Self-checkout of Sisyphus” will be displayed for the first time since its acquisition at Geelong Gallery as part of the MAKE Award.

The awards’ judges were ADC chief executive officer and artistic director Lisa Cahill, The Korea Association of Art and Design and Loewe Craft Prize jury member Hyeyoung Cho, JamFactory CEO Brian Parkes and Geelong Gallery director and CEO Jason Smith.

Mr Smith said it was a privilege to be part of the expert panel responsible for selecting and awarding the inaugural MAKE Award.

“The gallery’s collaboration with ADC, and its presentation of the MAKE Award were especially relevant for Geelong Gallery as it continues to assist the City of Geelong lead in its designation as a UNESCO City of Design.”

The exhibition will open at Geelong Gallery on August 10 and run until October 27.

For more information, head to geelonggallery.org.au