Living Treasures: Masters of Australian craft - 28 October 2007
Making meaning - the Living Treasures series
Launched in November 2005, the Living Treasures: Masters of Australian craft series is an initiative of Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design promoted by Craft Australia and supported by the network of Australian Craft and Design Centres, (ACDC). Each year, through the combination of a national touring exhibition and a major monograph publication, the series aims to celebrate the achievements of Australia's most iconic and influential crafts practitioners.
The Living Treasures series is a timely program that recognises the influential contribution of craft practitioners to the development of the Australian cultural landscape. It has met with a great deal of support from the general public and the arts industry.
Masters of Australian craft
Over the life of the program the series has expanded to also celebrate the short listed finalists who are recognised as Masters of Australian craft. This accolade is a new development that acknowledges the wealth and dynamism of the Australian studio craft movement of the past thirty years.
Public engagement
The program celebrates the work of Australian artists whose exemplary craft skills have been recognised by their peers. The work of all these artists is visible through the Craft Australia website with links to their work and their practice. Living Treasures: Masters of Australian craft - Index
The work of the selected Living Treasures is further visible through the national touring exhibition developed by Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design. With each show touring for around two years there is bound to be an opportunity to see the work by these eminent artists at a gallery near you. Tour itinerary
The engagement with these makers is further enhanced with the colour monograph produced for each of the Living Treasures. The monograph is a lasting and tangible legacy of the artists, their work and the people and organisations that have worked closely with them over the span of their illustrious careers. The ability for audiences to engage with the Living Treasures: Masters of Australian craft series at any of these points, both virtually and physically, makes the program a very dynamic and informative package about the current state of the Australian craft·design sector. Living Treasures: Monographs
A promotion strategy by the sector
The ACDC network is a national group that presents and promotes Australian contemporary craft·design. The Living Treasures series is a key strategy that is supported by the network. It significantly expands the knowledge base about Australian craft·design practice and its contribution to Australian cultural life; it enhances the position of the sector to national and international attention; and it provides vital information that supports key areas of focus including education, artists' sustainability, collectors and the private and public gallery sectors. ACDC network
How it works
The program is managed by Object: Australian Centre for Craft and Design promoted by Craft Australia and supported by the ACDC network, who each nominate artists for inclusion in this program. In addition the ACDC galleries are amongst the significant venues for the Living Treasures: Masters of Australian craft exhibitions as they tour the country.
Nominations from individuals and organisations for participation in the program are called every three years. Entries are assessed by a national panel made up of peers from the craft·design sector. Two selection processes have taken place, the first in 2005 saw Les Blakebrough, Klaus Moje and Marian Hosking selected for 2005 to 2007, and the second in 2007 resulted in Liz Williamson, Kevin Perkins and Robert Baines being chosen for 2008 to 2010. The process for selecting the next three Living Treasures will happen a little earlier and is scheduled for 2009.
Craft Australia, is a key partner with Object in presenting what has become one of the most significant initiatives within the Australian craft sector to date. Living Treasures: Masters of Australian craft will continue to be actively promoted by Craft Australia through the development of a dedicated website that features all relevant material about the program. As the peak advocacy organisation for the sector, this program is a significant vehicle to lobby for the needs and growth of the Australian craft·design sector.
Catrina Vignando
General Manager
Craft Australia
October, 2007
