Exhibits,
Jessie French, Nic Dowse, Zhu Ohmu HIVE / HANDS
Opening: Wednesday September 4th, 6-8pm Dates: 4 - 28 Sept
HIVE / HANDS is a collaboration between Jessie French (Other Matter), Nic Dowse (Honey Fingers), Zhu Ohmu and Apis mellifera. The exhibition highlights three individual creative practices meeting and merging in a potent state of cross-pollination. Inspired by a shared passion for beekeeping and honeybees, and with a guiding sense of open enquiry and responsiveness within their own fields, these makers explore the intersection of craft, materiality, ecology and collectivism.
The experimental work and engaging dialogue produced in the process of this collaboration inspires new approaches to making and (re)using, while inherently referencing age old practices and complex systems that connect us all. These exciting advancements epitomise the spirit of this thoughtful and passionate meeting of minds and hands and underlines the significance of experimentation and problem solving in driving the creative process.
Curated by Jessie French and Nic Dowse.
Other Matter is a sustainable materials studio pioneering the development of renewable, algae-based plastic alternatives for a circular economy. Founded in 2021, its mission centres on innovative solutions to plastics that can be recycled infinitely. Other Matter’s multidisciplinary work spans research, product development, events, education and collaborations. With a vision for redefining design, environmental responsibility, and collective impact, Other Matter serves as a custodian for sustainable material innovation developed by artist Jessie French. It is committed to developing real-world solutions to replace less-sustainable materials across diverse industries.
Nic Dowse / The Honey Fingers Collective is an experimental, creative and interdisciplinary studio working with bee ecologies, and was founded in 2013 by Nicholas Dowse. Honey Fingers has been motivated by an urgency to address socio-environmental challenges through creativity. The collective is interested in communicating their practice through the lens of artist Gu Wenda’s term ‘artwholeism’ - a constantly evolving multi-artform emerging at the confluence of art, social practice, community, design, poetry, biology, hospitality and urban ecosystems. Ultimately the collective draws attention to the plight of honeybees and promotes ideas of farming and ‘nature’ being humanely and practically integrated into urban lives.
Zhu Ohmu’s practice investigates human relevance and the resurgence of the handmade in an age of mass production and automation whilst exploring the intersection between nature, man and machine. Working primarily with ceramics, the artist’s coiling technique imitates the machine methods of 3D printing. Built through stacking, folding, and pressing, the vessel is dictated by the weight of moist clay with the form emerging intuitively, pushed to its structural limits. By spending time with the clay through play and observation, insight into plasticity and workability allows the artist to manipulate the material. The artist’s hands are able to build forms that the present-day 3D printer cannot, and this is because humans are capable of the patience, care, and curiosity needed for an intimate relationship with clay.
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Photo by Phillip Huynh.