Main Gallery
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Installation image - Re-Imagining 2011
Maker: Megan Lundberg
Materials: ceramic, found objects, wood, gold powder
Courtesy of the artist
Installation image - All the Love Hours Repaid in Full 2011
Maker: Susan Wells
Materials: aida cloth, thread, porcelain, copper wire, cord
Courtesy of the artist
Spot 2011
Maker: Andrew Cheung
Materials: moving image
Courtesy of the artist
iCraft 2011
Maker: Briar Mark
Materials: 350gsm Fabriano watercolour paper and embroidery thread
Courtesy of the artist
Iron Butterfly 2011
Maker: Gabrielle MacDonald
Materials: industrial felt
Courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Laura Ridley Photography
Ti kouka, Cabbage Tree, Cordyline australis 2011
Maker: Claire McSweeney
Materials: sterling silver, 18ct gold, plant material, steel pin
Courtesy of the artist
22083.57 2011
Maker: Jacquelene Reid
Materials: mixed media
Courtesy of the artist
Shelves for Objects (Lamp) 2011
Maker: Janetta Hayden
Materials: plywood, acrylic glass, lamp
Courtesy of the artist
Holding on... 2011
Maker: Lisa Higgins
Materials: rubber, sterling silver, copper, paint, brass, steel, synthetic cord, silk thread, seeds, polyurethane
Courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Tineke Jansen
Pathos 2011
Maker: Marcel Watson
Materials: wool blanket, hobby fill, polyester thread, milk
Courtesy of the artist
INK 2011
Maker: Mike Furniss
Materials: stainless steel, brass
Courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Nisha Ravji
Urban Beehive 2011
Maker: Rowan Dunford
Materials: styrene and pine ply
Courtesy of the artist
Nails 2011
Maker: Russell Goodman
Materials: wood, bronze
Courtesy of the artist. Photograph: Caryline Boreham
Persian Experiment 2011
Maker: Saba Aghahasan
Materials: digital print
Courtesy of the artist
Presence in Absence 2011
Maker: Sophie Rzepecky
Materials: hand woven and felted weaves. Silver weave: weft - felted wool yarn, merino silver, reflecta yarn, cotton; warp - monofilament, mercerized cotton
Courtesy of the artist
Shelflife 2011
Maker: Vanessa Arthur
Materials: refreshed objects, faux wood laminate, plywood, brass, wood, dowel, 925 silver, bronze, paint
Courtesy of the artist
Best in Show 2012
17 March 2012 - 21 April 2012
Makers:
Saba Aghahasan, Vanessa Arthur, Andrew Cheung, Rowan Dunford, Mike Furniss, Russell Goodman, Janetta Hayden, Lisa Higgins, Megan Lundberg, Gabrielle MacDonald, Briar Mark, Lynda McNamara, Claire McSweeney, Jacquelene Reid, Sophie Rzepecky, Leah Shao, Marcel Watson, Susan Wells
Curator:
Laura Howard
Best in Show is an important ongoing Objectspace project that showcases outstanding new applied arts graduates from tertiary institutions around New Zealand. Best in Show 2012 is the eighth exhibition in this series, and features 18 emerging practitioners on the cusp of exciting creative careers. Areas of practice in Best in Show 2012 include graphic design, ceramics, product design, textiles, video art, contemporary jewellery and furniture.
The works of these bachelor-level graduates consistently display a level of polish. These works entail few compromises when it comes to materials, aesthetic decisions and other artistic concerns as they engage, spark curiosity or even surprise the viewer.
Some of the issues addressed by Best in Show 2012 include: the dominance of the computer; digital versus hand production; sustainability and upcycling; attachment to objects and collecting; and the relationship between production and consumption. While the concepts addressed by these makers are varied, a common thread is the passing of time, expressed through a sense of redundancy and loss, and the dilemma of obsolescence.
As well as offering the opportunity of what is for many their first public gallery exhibition following soon after their end of year graduate showcase exhibitions, Best in Show 2012 provides a valuable professional development opportunity for these young makers, and an exhilarating exhibition of fresh new talent for the public to enjoy. Best in Show can be a launching pad for outstanding new makers and designers. Objectspace is delighted that a number of previous Best in Show exhibitors have gone on to achieve national and international success. On show simultaneously in the Window Gallery is Talente: One Year On which presents the new work of five exhibitors invited to attend Talente 2011 in Munich, Germany, most of whom have also been Best in Show exhibitors.
Best in Show 2012 features graduates from: AUT University (Te Wananga Aronui o Tamaki Makau Rau); College of Creative Arts, Massey University (Te Kunenga ki Purehuroa); Elam School of Fine Arts, The University of Auckland; Hungry Creek Art and Craft School; Otago Polytechnic (Te Kura Matatini ki Otago); School of Visual Arts, Manukau Institute of Technology (Te Whare Takiura o Manukau); Unitec Department of Design & Visual Arts (Te Whare Wananga o Wairaka); Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design (Te Whare Takiura O Wikiriwhi) and Whitireia (Te Kura Matatini o Whitireia).
Publication (Online): Best in Show 2012
This online exhibition publication features images of the work of each of the eighteen artists in Best in Show 2012, accompanied by writing by exhibition curator Laura Howard.
Public Programme: Saturday 17 March, 11am. Join a selection of Best in Show 2012 exhibitors for an artists' floor talk.