"Home is Where the Craft Is" is a cozy exhibition that could be just next door. If you live in Brunswick. Cate Lawrence is a crafter, thinker, blogger, artist who has turned her hand to curating an inspiring show in her own home. She called on some other local makers, creators, artists and friends to fill her house with thought provoking handmade arts. Super bright colours and inspiration from The Smiths are just a couple of striking hallmarks that should entice you to her doorstep.
Cate talks with The Vine about "Home is Where the Craft Is".
What's the premise of this show?
The premise of the show is examining women's creativity around the home. When women craft at home, its residential location as a site of work and display makes it invisible to the public. I wanted to hold a craft exhibition in my home as a way of showing craft in it's natural location, hung in the kitchen, being used in the bathroom, keeping someone warm on the couch. The show also looks critically at the explosion of craft as a creative medium and considers some of the issues associated with this such as the sourcing of ethical materials, the portrayal of femininity in craft and the issues around women's labour in creating through spending hours and hours stitching, cutting, embroidering, knitting and mending often for little recognition or financial re-numeration.
What are some of the obstacles of having a public event in a private space?
it's been very interesting! Some people feel quite nervous entering the property and others walk right in. There's currently a troupe of elderly folk cooing at the work on the walls in the bathroom. I guess it's a bit like a cross between an open house inspection and a garage sale. We've had to restrict the gallery space to back half of the house so we had somewhere to store the clutter. I'm an extremely untidy person and I've really had to challenge myself to returning things to their homes when I've finished using them.
How are the works site-specific?
I guess it's a combination of site specific locations due to the functional nature of the craft work and also a way of displaying craft in areas of the home as you would if you bought something yourself.
There has been such a big interest in "street art" the last few years. I love the idea that domestic art can also be powerful. What are your thoughts about "street art" vs art "done in the home"?
I think domestic art can definitely be confronting, poignant, thought provoking and humourous. It can also be functional rather than purely aesthetic, placing another element of value beyond monetary and aesthetic categories. I think street art gains a larger physical audience where as 'home art is more likely to be publicised through photography, tutorials of the work, blogging and other social media network.
What's your take on the art / craft distinction?
It's kinda a vested issue and I'm not sure it will ever be resolved or should be. I think there's possibly a greater issue of craft vs Craft, I think a lot of women in particular have jumped on the craft bandwagon, often after having children, and get caught up in a particular discourse which posits the value of craft in its financial profits. There's over 60 craft markets in Melbourne now and a lot more sellers than buyers. It is very difficult to reconcile value of craft in economic terms, something which it shares with art. This in turn causes conflict between self taught craft practitioners and those with textiles and fine art degrees... That said, I think art is more accessible in galleries and studios, far more so than craft. How much of this is gender related I'm unsure, but I do know that when men propose craft exhibitions they are more likely to be posited as 'counter culture' and draw a larger audience.
What did you make for the exhibition?
I made a few different things including a recycled bathmat and shower curtain, some upcycled embroideries and a series of embroideries of lyrics by The Smiths.
What are some of the themes running through the whole show?
I realise colour isn't a theme per se but it's a very colourful exhibition! From shocking pink millinery to Bettie Page embroidered on bright yellow canvas, there's literally bright colours everywhere! I think a central theme to the exhibition is the resurgence of quite old craft techniques such as rag rug knitting, yo-yo's, crazy patchwork, darning and cross stitch. There's also a strong awareness of reusing materials and making crafts to last.
What would be perfect soundtrack to the show?
Definitely a lot of Smiths songs, a touch of Sonic Youth and the theme tune of Midsomer Murders, it's one of my favourite TV shows to craft to.
What other crafty projects to you have on the boil for summer?
I'll probably get around to some of the projects I intended to make for the show but never got around to....also considering some involvement with the Sustainable Living Festival here in Melbourne. I'm also up for a new challenge.
Home Is Where The Craft Is
Katherine Baring, Clem Bastow, Anna Boyd-Dunlop, Emily Chan, Camille Condon, Rayna Fahey, Mae FInlayson, Louise Francis, Katherine Hepworth, Jess Kelly, Cate Lawrence, Bek Saltmarsh, Tanya van der Weet
12-5pm September 26th to October 4th, 2010
161 Albion St, Brunswick (enter via rear gate off Lillian St)