Rare embroidery skills to be taught in Perth

Justine Bonenfant will join us in August to deliver extraordinary workshops in Goldwork and Tambour Beading. She ordinarily works at the Hand and Lock atelier in London where the British Royal Family and many eminent fashion designers commission embroidery projects of the highest calibre.

We are delighted to partner with Calico & Ivy in Mosman Park and Midland Junction Arts Centre to host these amazing workshops.

About Justine

Justine Bonenfant, originally from northern France, is an embellishment designer and embroidery artisan. Following a fashion degree at Esmod International, Justine assisted designers in Marrakech and London. Whilst researching fabric in Milan and Paris she developed a fascination with handcrafted textiles. This led her to the prestigious Lesage School in Paris to improve her knowledge in hand embroidery, from Luneville to silk-shading. In 2010 Justine received the QEST Broderers’ Company grant enabling her to follow a six-month apprenticeship at traditional embroidery company Hand & Lock.

At Hand & Lock she mastered the couture embroidery technique Tambour Beading, the traditional ceremonial embroidery technique of Goldwork and monogramming. She is now one of the highly skilled teachers at Hand & Lock specialising in these techniques. Through her work, Justine experiments to translate these timeless embroidery techniques into contemporary design, for example combining plastic with precious gold.  Justine has also worked with luxury design houses, including Ralph & Russo and Jasper Conran.

About Hand & Lock

Hand & Lock has produced the world’s finest embroidery since 1767. Their clients include the Royal Family, the forces, international fashion houses, emerging designers, interior designers, PR companies and costume designers for theatre, film, and television.

INFO & BOOKINGS

Please go to our event listing for dates and how to book.

Real to Reel returns to Perth and tours to Sydney and Melbourne

Craft on Screen! The international film festival with a difference is back again in Perth.  Real to Reel celebrates the diversity of craft, materials and makers in 33 short films shown across two screenings.

We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Crafts Council UK to again host ‘Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival’ in Australia.

The festival is a unique opportunity to witness craft in action and the narratives, passion and skill inherent in the creation of works. It provides a global perspective and again, the programme unites some unusual and perhaps unexpected tales of making – from miniatures, to replica birds’ eggs, to a human powered bakery – along with animations that bring to life fibre, wool, clay and found objects.

This year we are stoked that three films in the international selection are from Australia – featuring Tjanpi Desert Weavers’ animations and the working life of WA woodturner Neil Turner, filmed by Fremantle-based Rae Fallon.

To find dates and info, read more and more importantly buy tickets (please), via our Event Page: Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival 2019.

Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival is produced by the Crafts Council and Crafts magazine.

Adorn Workshops – Sold Out!

The upcoming workshops, designed and delivered by Claire Townsend and Sarah Elson, have sold out. There are a couple of tickets left for the ADORN forum of craft conversations on Sunday 24 March 2019, at the Joondalup Reception Centre.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information, click on these links:

Adorn Forum & Workshops

City of Joondalup ADORN

Image: Claire Townsend, enamel ring

DRIVEN TO ADORN – FORUM & WORKSHOPS

 

Jewellery has adorned the human body since time immemorial. It has fascinated us, bewitched us, caused murder and mayhem. We have coveted it. Over the ages jewellery has had many purposes beyond just ornament; as talismans, symbols of faith, tokens of love and esteem, trade guarantees and denoting status and authority.

Join us for a day of conversations about contemporary craft, jewellery and object making on Sunday 24 March 2019 at the City of Joondalup, and for workshops delivered by Claire Townsend and Sarah Elson, on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 March respectively. (Registrations open from 4 February 2019.)

We are delighted to partner with the City of Joondalup in the presentation of a public program to complement the JMGA-WA (Jewellers & Metalsmiths Group of Australia, WA) exhibition ‘ADORN‘ to be held at Joondalup Art Gallery 18 March-12 April 2019.

It has been a pleasure to connect with this group of makers over the last few months and to explore their motivations, plans and challenges, in preparation for this program.

DRIVEN TO ADORN – a forum for craft conversations

Pitching at the right level

Eminent jeweller and gallerist Katherine Kalaf will make a special presentation at the ADORN forum about her experience representing international and Australian jewellers and makers in her Cottesloe gallery, as well an insight into her incredible archive.

6X6: Six Slides for Six Minutes,
followed by a conversation about craft futures in WA.

Six contemporary jewellers and smiths will regale us with a snapshot of a particular area of their practice, prior to a panel discussion about future directions for the craft sector in WA.

Melissa Cameron recently returned to Perth after six years in Seattle. Melissa will share with us what she’s been up to and what she’s learnt on the other side of the pond.

Sarah Elson is this year’s recipient of the City of Joondalup Inside-Out Billboard Commission and a member of Art Collective WA. You may have seen her work in the City’s Community Invitation Art Award last year? After over 20 years teaching at Curtin, she’s embarking on a new stage in her career.

Susannah Kings-Lynne is one of the co-founders of Wayward Jewellers Society. Susannah hones in on the reality journey – after training and going it alone – or rather with a bunch of kindred spirits.

Bethamy Linton has generations of silversmithing in her blood. Bethamy provides insights into the historical progress of silverware and new ways of meeting the market.

Claire Townsend has over 20 years teaching experience and was instrumental in setting up Contemporary Metal with Philip Noakes. Claire is passionate about training and support for contemporary jewellers.

Alister Yiap works across a variety of design, art and making disciplines, from jewellery to sculpture. Alister is a well known face in the fashion and design world of WA; he balances award-winning creative work with ongoing teaching work at North Met TAFE.

ABOVE
Bracelet: Carlier Makigawa, sterling silver, 2003.
Neckpiece: Gillian Rainer, sterling silver, 2003.
Ring: Katherine Kalaf, 18ct yellow gold, amethyst and topaz, 2003.

Tom of Holland on ABC RN: The Hub on Art

Listen to Tom, interviewed by Eddie Ayres on Radio National’s The Hub on Art – Wed 8 Aug 2018.

Tom of Holland is a guest of Maker&Smith in Perth, Western Australia. Here to deliver workshops on a variety of visible mending techniques for knitting and fabric.

‘Skilled in techniques including crochet, knitting and sewing, Tom of Holland’s repair work highlights the relationship between garment and wearer that has developed over time, creating clothing that is as unique as the history that created it.’

International film festival all about craft premieres in Perth

MEDIA RELEASE: 25 June 2018

Local craft initiative Maker&Smith are delighted to present the first screening in Australia of an international film festival about craft in Western Australia in August 2018.

‘Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival’ is produced by the UK Crafts Council and Crafts magazine and tours to Australia, thanks to Maker&Smith.

The festival features an eclectic programme of 28 short films divided across two screenings, selected from around the globe and that celebrate craft in all its facets. There’s an incredible diversity of styles, people and approaches – from BAFTA-winning, hand-crafted animation and music videos to glimpses behind the scenes in makers’ studios, a life-size ceramic car and so much more.

You don’t have to be a ‘maker’ to enjoy these films – themes are at times playful or meditative, some highlight social impact projects, there’s poetry and song, even boxing… The materials and crafts include glass, basketry, ceramics, weaving, felting, letterpress, blacksmithing and metalwork, puppet and violin making.

Film Festival Dates 2018

  • Screening One Camelot Indoor Theatre Friday 3 August, 6:30pm
  • Screening Two Camelot Indoor Theatre Saturday 4 August, 6:30pm
  • Screening Selection Denmark Civic Centre Friday 17 August, 6:30pm

Download Media Release.

Associated Events

Maker&Smith will also host workshops and presentations. This year, with a focus on reuse and repair, the partnership have invited visible mending specialist Tom of Holland from England and basketmaker Meri Peach from NSW. Bernard Ashton Kerr will share the experiences of the creative exchange ‘Habits of Horses’; and RepairLab will help you to fix your stuff.

Info + Bookings

The program is being revealed on their website , with tickets on sale via Eventbrite .

www.makerandsmith.com.au

Follow Maker&Smith on Instagram and Facebook. Download full Media Release.

For interviews and images, contact: Carola Akindele-Obe / carola@makerandsmith.com.au