Canberra: City of Design

Posted on 8 November, 2018

Buenos Aires, Bilbao, Helsinki, Montreal and…Canberra?

If Rachael Coghlan has her way, Canberra will be joining these cities as a global UNESCO City of Design.

“My long-term goal for Canberra is to gain international recognition as a City of Design with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” says Rachael, the CEO of Craft ACT and Director of the DESIGN Canberra Festival.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network promotes cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

“My more immediate goal is to keep growing DESIGN Canberra Festival every year. It’s a powerful platform to promote the work of local designers. We have more than 100 incredible designers, artists and craftspeople taking part in events at this year’s Festival,” she says.

Rachael Coghlan. Credit: Adam McGrath.

One of the designers is Chelsea Lemon, who creates custom pieces from timber that are both functional and beautiful. This year, Chelsea has the honour of being the designer-in-residence for DESIGN Canberra, and is responsible for designing the Festival’s signature look and feel.

“It’s given me exposure to the design world and the opportunity to interact with other makers,” she says. “It’s given me a kick-start to my own career. I’m grateful for it and I’ve learnt so much from the whole experience.

Chelsea’s interest in working with timber began at school.

“Woodwork was my best subject at school and I was keen to pursue it as a career. I originally applied at university for painting and drawing but I went to a furniture workshop and I realised that timber could take on decorative forms. That’s why I include parquetry in my work because to me, that’s a way of drawing with timber.”

Chelsea Lemon

“I’m inspired by nature so I also incorporate images of plants into my design by translating them into a geometric form. My clients tell me my work is unique and they describe my style as a fresh take on woodworking.

“I’m glad I’m starting my career in Canberra,” says Chelsea. “The creative community is so supportive. If you need to borrow equipment or need advice there’s always someone willing to help.”

Chelsea is also presenting a parquetry workshop during DESIGN Canberra.

“I think the Festival is also educating the public as well, which I think is really important. People understand and appreciate local designers and the benefits of buying locally,” she says.

From timber to titanium, the DESIGN Canberra Festival is showcasing a wide range of works. Phoebe Porter is a Canberra-based jewellery maker who combines industrial materials such as titanium and aluminium with diamonds and precious stones to create elegant, timeless pieces. The Festival has opened up new opportunities and audiences for her too.

“Participating in the Open Studios event at the DESIGN Canberra Festival is a great opportunity for me to connect directly with my audience,” she explains.

“This gives people the opportunity to buy work directly from the maker and learn about the processes in making it. I think there is a new-found appreciation for the skills.”

Phoebe has exhibited across Australia as well as in Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom, but chooses to make Canberra her base.

Diamond Disc Earrings, Phoebe Porter. Aluminium, diamonds, 925 silver. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

“Since returning to Canberra from Melbourne, I’ve become a parent, which makes it challenging to keep a creative business going at the same time as getting the kids to school. Canberra is a fantastic city to do that in and it’s supportive of its creatives through organisations like Craft ACT, the National Arts School and the Gorman Arts Centre.”

Phoebe is also one of the many makers opening their studio to the public during this year’s Festival.

“This will be the fourth year I’ve participated in the DESIGN Canberra Festival. It’s raising the profile of Canberra as a city of design excellence. I think that people who live here already know this. It’s good that the rest of Australia is catching on!”

Textile designer, Marilou Chagnaud, is also enjoying being involved in this year’s Festival. Marilou arrived in Canberra two years ago, via France and Montreal.

Weaved Object 1, Marilou Chagnaud. Black steel frame, paper, screen printed. Photo: Anisa Sabet.

“I moved from Montreal to Canberra with my partner,” she says. “It was difficult at first. Canberra is a city that unfolds, you have to be curious and seek out the things that make you feel at home.”

“Megalo Art Gallery and Craft ACT were my first residencies as an artist. And they both really helped me with my practice.”

Marilou’s preference is to work with paper, which she incorporates with other materials to create dynamic objects and sculptures.

“I’ve been working with textiles for a while, but I realised that I was more interested in the potential of paper. Paper is a very delicate material, it’s fragile but it can also be strong,” she says.

“I love pleating and layering paper so it becomes something else, and I incorporate it with wood or metal to create sculptural works.

“The DESIGN Canberra organisers are really supportive and open to new ideas, which is great. As an emerging artist, I’ve been able to experiment with new techniques and create public art. It’s nice to have art in your surroundings and not between the four walls of a gallery, it’s another experience, another dimension.”

Marilou’s striking work can be found both in Civic Square and at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

As well as featuring emerging artists, the Festival also highlights established makers like Alison Jackson, a Canberra jeweller and silversmith with several awards and international exhibitions under her belt.

“I’ve always made things with my hands, and I’ve always worked in metal. I’ve done this for most of my life. I really can’t imagine doing anything else,” says Alison.

“In everything I do, I’m always pushing my skills and discovering new ways of doing things. I’m passionate about making everything by hand and keeping those skills alive.”

Alison and her small creative team make everything themselves in their studio on the outskirts of Canberra, including their own tooling.

“The DESIGN Canberra Festival definitely increases the visibility of the creatives in Canberra, locally and nationally. To me it’s obvious, I’m living and working in it, but many people might not be aware that there is so much going on here. Having so many Festival events so close together really packs a punch. There is such a variety of events and activities for people to choose from.”

Alison has many strings to her talented bow, which means admirers have more options than ever when purchasing her work.

“I have a jewellery and tableware collection that we make here in the studio by hand, sold to retailers across Australia and in our online store,” she explains. “I create works for exhibitions and I also teach a program of classes on metalwork.”

Alison Jackson. Credit: Andy Mullens.

Alison has always worked in Canberra and enjoys collaborating with other designers and makers.

“For me, seeing the creative community grow here is fantastic. It’s gone from strength to strength across many different areas. It’s easy to connect and collaborate with other makers. We learn from each other. It never feels competitive and it’s always very supportive.”

Works from Alison, Marilou, Phoebe and Chelsea will also be for sale during the Festival’s opening party and auction, CIRCULARITY.

“The more we can do to promote our artists and designers and provide opportunities for them to find new audiences for their work, and make a living from their practice, then I’m doing my job really well,” says Rachael Coghlan.

With this impressive range of talent just scratching the surface of Canberra’s dynamic creative community, it can’t be long before ‘Canberra: UNESCO City of Design’ becomes a reality.

the essentials

What: CIRCULARITY: Design. Auction. Party
When: Saturday 10 November at 8 pm
Where: Level 1 Monaro Mall, Canberra Centre
Tickets: $20 via www.designcanberrafestival.com.au (or $30 at the door)
Online auction: 32auctions.com/designcanberra2018