Exhibition Launch: 7 June from 2-4pm in galleries One and Two

ISLAND WELCOME –A JEWEL OF AN EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN REGIONAL SA

Island Welcome explores contemporary jewellery as a gesture of welcome; using the motif of a neckpiece to reference garlands, or leis, used as a symbol of welcome in many islander cultures. Curated by Belinda Newick, Country Arts SA’s touring exhibition Island Welcome intends to bring attention to asylum seeker issues. Island Welcome will be on display at Hahndorf Academy between June 6 and July 20.

JESS DARE

Offering of Welcome

2019

powder coated brass, stainless steel cable, sterling silver

39 x 24 x 3.5 cm

Photo: Grant Hancock

Using a breadth of intriguing and conceptually rich materials – used thongs, seaweed, fabric sausage links, shells, clay, paper, porcelain and streak wire – the artists bring immense skill, insight and compassion to make us consider who gets to say welcome, and why? The works from 12 artists nationwide, including South Australians Jess Dare, Kath Inglis and Lauren Simeoni, extend the dialogue beyond art and craft audiences via expressions of Australian values through craft practice. With reference to welcome garlands gifted in many traditional islander cultures, each of the 12 artists has made a neckpiece, lei, or garland interpreting the theme of welcome whilst considering current Australian immigration policies.  

 “Curatorial and craft practice converge in Island Welcome to engage a universalist approach to human rights and the capacity to extend gestures of welcome and to address global displacement,” Curator Belinda Newick said.

The artists presenting in Island Welcome are: Liv Boyle, Michelle Cangiano, Jess Dare, Anna Davern, Nicky Hepburn, Kath Inglis, Manon van Kouswijk, Sim Luttin, Vicki Mason, Belinda Newick, Lauren Simeoni, Melinda Young. Country Arts SA Visual Arts Manager Lauren Mustillo said,

“This exhibition features some of Australia’s most respected and talented jewellers whose immense technical talent and personal values of compassion and inclusion have collided to bring us artworks which have undertones of activism and collectively ask us to contemplate political history, Australia’s cultural identity and our shared humanity.”

Media enquiries: Diana Maschio

diana.maschio@countryarts.org.au

0411 620 699