Headline: New Zealand designers and craft/object makers to exhibit in Munich
Creative New Zealand is supporting talented designers, makers and curators to attend two major exhibitions in Munich next month.
Six New Zealanders have been selected to showcase their work over 11-17 March at Schmuck and Talente – two long-standing exhibitions that are part of the annual International Trade Fair for the Skilled Trades in Munich. Schmuck and Talente attract the world’s top makers, curators, gallerists and collectors to see new work and to meet up-and-coming talents.
“This is the seventh year that Creative New Zealand has supported New Zealand artists and makers at these events. We are pleased to see that our ongoing investment is creating opportunities for our people,” says Creative New Zealand Senior Manager International Cath Cardiff.
Schmuck is the world’s premier exhibition for contemporary jewellery. This year two Wellington jewellers, Rebecca Bliss and Neke Moa, have been invited to present their work. They will be among 63 jewellers selected from 23 countries to exhibit.
“Rebecca and Neke are no strangers to Munich, having participated in the Handshake mentoring programme created by Peter Deckers and exhibiting in the Wunderruma exhibition in Munich last year,” says Ms Cardiff.
Talente is one of Europe’s most prestigious showcases for emerging talent in design, technology and craft/object art. Now in its 34th year, it is a platform for young craft/object makers and designers to launch their careers to the wider European market. This year, four young New Zealanders have been invited to present their work:
- Chelsea Johnson – textiles (Dunedin)
- Emma Creighton – textiles/paper (Auckland)
- Melanie Bosma – graphic design/plastics (Auckland)
- Dr Witehira Johnson – graphic design/paper (Auckland).
The young New Zealanders will be among 99 artists, designers and craftspeople from 32 countries. Creative New Zealand has recruited Auckland-based contemporary jeweller Renee Bevan to be a mentor for the artists selected for Talente.
“Renee brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, as well as first-hand experience of these events, having previously exhibited at both Talente and Schmuck,” says Ms Cardiff.
Creative New Zealand is also supporting curators Sian van Dyk and Karl Fritsch to attend Schmuck and Talente. Sian is acting senior curator at The Dowse Art Museum. Trained in Munich, Karl is a highly respected jeweller and curator. In 2014 he co-curated the Wunderruma exhibition and will use this opportunity to negotiate new exhibitions in Europe.
Raewyn Walsh and Sharron Fitness, of the Jewellers’ Guild of Greater Sandringham, are also being supported to attend Schmuck. They will contribute to a working party of international curators and writers developing public programmes for Schmuck in 2016.
Creative New Zealand will also donate to the archives of Munich’s Pinakothek Museums in March. A comprehensive commissioned catalogue of contemporary New Zealand jewellery will acknowledge the strength of New Zealand’s ongoing relationship with Talente and Schmuck. This will be assembled by curator Damian Skinner and artist Warwick Freeman.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Jasmyne Chung
Senior Communications Adviser, Creative New Zealand
M +64 27 838 8868 | jasmyne.chung@creativenz.govt.nz
Further information
International Trade Fair for the Skilled Trades
The 67th International Trade Fair for the Skilled Trades (Internationalen Handwerksmesse München) is taking place 11-17 March 2015 at the Gallery Handwerk in Munich, Germany. Schmuck and Talente are two of the exhibitions that are part of this annual event.
Schmuck and Talente
Schmuck is the oldest international jewellery exhibition in the world, having taken place since 1959.
Talente includes traditional applied arts such as ceramics and textiles, through to graphic design and typography, and even cutting-edge technological design. Exhibitors must be less than 33 years of age to apply, or less than 35 years of age for the technology section of the competition.
Creative New Zealand support for New Zealanders to attend Schmuck and Talente 2015
All six selected makers and designers for Schmuck and Talente are being supported with international airfares to, and accommodation in, Munich. The Talente artists will also have the services of mentor Renee Bevan. This initiative is part of Creative New Zealand’s International Programme.
Raewyn Walsh and Sharron Fitness of the Jewellers’ Guild of Greater Sandringham successfully applied for a Quick Response Grant to attend Schmuck.
Creative New Zealand support for curators to attend Talente and Schmuck
Creative New Zealand offers support to curators to travel to Munich to build their curatorial practice, increase their understanding of the European market and explore possibilities for exchange, projects and exhibitions.
Wunderruma
In 2014 Munich hosted Wunderruma – the largest exhibition of New Zealand contemporary jewellery ever to travel to Europe. Curated by New Zealand jewellers Warwick Freeman and Karl Fritsch, with the assistance of Fran Allison, the exhibition featured more than 200 pieces by more than 75 jewellers and artists. As part of Wunderruma, Auckland-based artist Niki Hastings McFall created a large site-specific work Polynisation to provide a Pacific welcome to the exhibition. Creative New Zealand helped fund the Wunderruma exhibition, as well as the Polynisation work.
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