Craftivism. Dissident Objects and Subversive Forms

20 November 2021—16 January 2022
Curated by Anna Briers and Rebecca Coates

A Shepparton Art Museum curated exhibition, toured nationally by NETS Victoria.

The exhibition presented the work of contemporary Australian artists who utilise craft-based materialities with a political intent.

Broadening our understanding of craft-making traditions, the artists in this exhibition subverted and extended these forms into the realm of activism and social change, reflecting on the world in which we live. While some responded directly to artistic or political movements, others encouraged social connection between community members or required participatory activation through collective processes.

Drawing on a long historical lineage, Craftivism. Dissident Objects and Subversive Forms enabled viewers to rethink craft in a new light.

Artists
Catherine Bell, Karen Black, Penny Byrne, Erub Arts, Debris Facility, Starlie Geikie, Michelle Hamer, Kate Just, Deborah Kelly, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Raquel Ormella, Tai Snaith, Hiromi Tango, James Tylor, Jemima Wyman and Paul Yore.

Installation view of Craftivism. Dissident Objects and Subversive Forms at UniSC Art Gallery. Photo: Carl Warner.

Hiromi Tango: Amygdala—Healing Garden
7 December 2020—16 January 2021

Education Kit
An education kit was available for this exhibition and can be downloaded here.

Catalogue
A fully illustrated catalogue featuring a curatorial introduction and three commissioned texts by David Cross, Jessica Bridgfoot and Amelia Winata accompanied the exhibition.