Glass is everywhere in photography, especially broken glass. When it breaks, what intrigues us is the brittleness that was there all along
Techno-optimists once prized testicular material from apes; today they plan to upload human minds. As always, one person’s dream is another’s nightmare
Techno-optimists once prized testicular material from apes; today they plan to upload human minds. As always, one person’s dream is another’s nightmare
Saint Cloche gallery
37 MacDonald Street, Paddington NSW
It’s no secret we are massive fans of all things handcrafted, and we have a particular passion for ceramics! There’s just something about the tactile nature of clay, the imperfect beauty of the ceramic form, and the chalky white patina of a ceramics studio which just really FLOATS OUR BOAT
An accumulation of books is something to be proud of. That must be why so many of us collect books (and magazines) and refuse to part with them, even if we never intend to revisit their pages again. There are few things we hold on to indefinitely with such fervour.
But a lifetime’s worth of reading material requires a serious storage solution. The good news is, done right, a well-loved home library is the perfect addition to any interior – an endlessly versatile backdrop lending colour, detail and authentic personality to a room.
In the case of Lee Mathews (whose stunning lofty warehouse apartment we shot so long ago I am not even sure if she lives there anymore!) – the bookshelves MAKE the space. These impossibly expansive shelves provide the perfect backdrop to an interior filled with industrial furniture, vintage collectibles and eclectic details.
Of course, bookshelves can be used for much more than just books. Artist Tai Snaith curates her dark timber pigeonhole shelves with museum-like precision, whilst architect Susannah Lempriere hangs paintings even on the front of her shelves, maximising every inch of wall space in her tiny home.
There are endless opportunities to incorporate clever shelving into contemporary interiors, and you don’t necessarily need an entire wall at your disposal. Hallways and stairwells can present the perfect opportunity for ad-hoc shelving (as seen in the Eltham home of Poppy Lane and Scott Gibson) whilst bookshelves built around windows and doors invariably become the talking point of a room.
Floating shelves are popular for their weightless appearance (like the ones in my old house in Brunswick!) – though, truth be told, without structural uprights, they’re not the strongest option.
Seamless integrated shelving is the sleekest way to house a large library. We love the in-built cabinetry at the Lyon Housemuseum in Kew, with a custom library ladder for easy access – Adult-life goals right there!
Ceramics is back in a big way, experiencing a steady surge of interest and popularity not seen since the 1970s. The return to the handmade, driven by our increasingly digital lives, means there are now more makers, sellers, and collectors than ever. There is also a new desire for unique objects made by hand and the imperfections associated with the marks of the maker. Pottery captures this authenticity in ways no other medium can.
From decorative pieces to the beautiful but functional, to sculptural works pushing the boundaries of the medium, Clay surveys the rich creative output of fifty of the top studio potters from around the world. It is a celebration of a new generation of artisans working in clay, a snapshot not necessarily of what is happening at the elite gallery level but rather a behind-the-scenes look at unique and eclectic offerings, both functional and sculptural, from small studios around the world.
Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans: Amber Creswell Bell: 9780500500729: Amazon.com: Books
Amber Creswell Bell is an arts, design, and lifestyle writer and creative curator. She has written for Australia’s most popular design blog, The Design Files. In 2015, she curated four sold-out exhibitions in Sydney galleries, several of which included the work of emerging ceramicists.
