‘Modern craftsmen’ commission

16 modern craftsmen were invited to participate in this group exhibition, held at Pin-up gallery in Collingwood, May 25 to 28, 2011.

Brief

To explore the role of craftsmanship in the modern world. Each craftsman was asked to reveal and communicate their creative process, while expressing their views on the importance of craftsmanship in the modern world.

Concept

The craft of graphic design is about communicating ideas visually. At its best, graphic design can be utilised to disseminate important ideas, connect people and provoke thought. I chose to base this project on a subject matter that is a pressing issue in our country: indigenous culture. And I wanted to utilise this project to learn more, and hopefully contribute to thought, debate, and reconciliation.

My submission focussed on language, and how it relates to culture, identity, history, place and people. Australia has the highest rate of language loss in the world. It is estimated that pre-settlement there were approximately 250 indigenous languages, plus a further 250 dialects. Today there are just 17 languages that are alive and spoken. In recent years there has been a positive movement for language revitalisation, and towards a bilingual approach to education. Language revitalisation is a crucial part of reconciliation. Language bridges understanding.

Each interactive print was a limited edition available for sale, profits were donated to the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages to support their work in reclaiming and revitalizing indigenous languages.

Images

1. OBSERVATION #1 (VIA OPTICAL ILLUSION)
Screen print and spirit rub on paper, viewing lenses. 
Limited edition of 5. 50 × 64cm.
Blue and red lenses are supplied with this optical illusion print. The audience interacts with it by viewing it through one lense at a time to reveal the words ‘history’ and ‘future’.

2. OBSERVATION #2 (VIA OPTICAL ILLUSIONS)
Screen print and spirit rub on paper, viewing lenses. 
Monoprint. 50 × 64cm.
A lightbox can be switched on or off to reveal the current status of indigenous language. Blue and red lenses are supplied with this optical illusion print. The audience interacts with it by viewing it through one lens at a time to reveal the words ‘language unifies’ and ‘language segments’.

3. OBSERVATION #3 (VIA OPTICAL ILLUSION)
Screen print on paper. 
Limited edition of 5. 50 × 32cm.
A lightbox can be switched on or off to reveal ‘culture is lost in translation’.