Designers and craftmakers to exhibit in Munich

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 theWunderruma 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)
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• Emma Creighton – textiles/paper (Auckland)
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• Melanie Bosma – graphic design/plastics (Auckland)
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• Dr Witehira Johnson – graphic design/paper (Auckland).
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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.
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