Exhibition Opening Tonight

Where Art Meets Design

Well I have had my fair share of theories pertaining to the blurring boundaries of art and design. But it’s all very well to have these theories, and as usual, the practical aspects of anything always mean that new understandings emerge. 

This work that I am exhibiting has utilised my formal skills as a designer. I have worked to resolve ideas and concepts in a designerly way, refining the aesthetics of colour, layout, type and image to push my idea. The idea started as something simple, then became more complex as a book. Then it morphed again back to its bare bones of an idea. With no consideration of audience! (gulp).

Working with curators instead of clients has been interesting. They have behaved as badly as clients at times. Changing their mind at the last minute, placing demands to change aspects of my work that were long resolved. Always the underlying threat that if you don’t tow the line, the relationship could be broken and your work remain invisible. 

But they did have some good ideas, and because I respect their judgement I have taken upon myself to just let go, and see it all as an experiment.  So let’s see what happens tonight at the opening. Bring it on. 

Meanwhile there is much else happening this week.

1. I am also meeting with Village Well today to organise a residency project for 5 lucky designers.

2. I need to prepare lessons for Thursday and Saturday’s students.

3. I am meeting with Maggie Tang from Vince Frost Design who is down from Sydney who will also be involved in the Residency.

4. Saturday’s Publish or Perish Class, which went really well. I am so happy that Old School is attracting some really ambitious, smart, hard working students. This makes a difference.