Uncovered | Sydney Opera House
The Uncovered program at the Sydney Opera House launches the next generation of Australian creatives to the iconic landmark’s onsite and online retail store.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
In its Uncovered project, the Sydney Opera House provides an opportunity for local artists and designers to connect with global and regional audiences while allowing for in-house mentorship from the team. For 2021, the Opera House launches its second offering in a call out for the next generation creatives after the success of 2019’s artists and designs. Made even more resonant in a year where we’ve had to look local and support the community by shopping small.
“This year, there has been a real shift to ‘go local’, to support your community, and to seek out amazing products closer to home,” Sydney Opera House General Manager, Tours, Retail & Projects, Nicola Brandon adds. “The Uncovered program is all about shining a spotlight on the next generation of local makers, designers, artisans and creatives, so it’s exciting to be announcing the return of the program for a second consecutive year.
Submissions are encouraged across a range of products, including jewellery and accessories; prints, photography and art; and homewares and gifts. The previous Uncovered 2019 pilot program features the work of Australian creatives, including Queensland-based Simin Contractor, designer of SoulSilk’s bush-inspired scarves; Marrickville-based ceramicist Milly Dent; and Sydney-based bird illustrators, Eggpicnic.
“It’s been incredibly enriching to be involved in the Opera House’s Uncovered program and to elevate the profile of our work with Australia’s iconic birdlife and the natural world,” Eggpicnic co-founder, Camila De Gregorio muses. “We would definitely encourage other Australian artists and creatives to take up the opportunity to apply and receive guidance from the panel, who have been immensely supportive and helpful in their advice.”
Christopher Macaluso and Camila De Gregorio, co-founders of Sydney-based design studio, Eggpicnic. Photo - Katherine Griffiths, City of Sydney.
“We can’t wait to see what our talented artistic community comes up with and to share their stories and exceptional products with Australia and the rest of the world.”
“The geometry of my work is inspired by matrices that are found in nature, like rock cuttings and different sculptural forms that you often find on the coastline,” says ceramic artist Milly Dent. Photo - Daniel Boud.
“I’m so honoured to see my work inside Australia’s most iconic (ceramic-tiled) piece of architecture, and excited to have my work exposed to the Opera House audience.”
“My work is inspired predominantly by forms, shapes patterns, and textures found in nature,” says Milly Dent. Photo - Daniel Boud.
Ceramic artist Milly Dent in her Marrickville studio in Sydney. Photo - Daniel Boud.
Together with Christopher Macaluso, Eggpicnic’s usual paintings and large-scale murals have been transformed into collectable pieces of art prints or gift cards to connect with a new audience, raising awareness of Australia’s local wildlife threatened by climate change. Their Sydney Opera House Shop collection features our familiar natives seen flying the sky in Sydney — a laughing kookaburra or a couple of superb fairy-wrens with wattle.
SoulSilk, from designer Simin Contractor, presents the ‘Australian Botanical’ scarf collection to the Sydney Opera House Shop for Uncovered — each handcrafted from silk, painted with prints of aspen gold acacia or eucalyptus bark. Simultaneously, ceramicist Milly Dent captures the mood of salty, swimming days on any of Sydney’s stunning beaches. Cobalt blue marbling runs through the geometric plates, cups and bowls, inspired by matrices found in nature like the epic coastline and rock formations.
“My work is inspired predominantly by forms, shapes patterns, and textures found in nature,” Milly considers. “The Sydney coastline is incredibly inspiring in my life and also in my ceramics—I’m addicted to the sea and try to get into the water daily. I find the time just after swimming very inspiring and incredibly meditative.”
After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, it’s never been more important to support local creatives, and the Sydney Opera House has made it a little bit easier for Australian artisans! Uncovered applications close Sunday 7th February 2021 at 11:59pm.
“We can’t wait to see what our talented artistic community comes up with and to share their stories and exceptional products with Australia and the rest of the world, says Sydney Opera House General Manager, Tours, Retail & Projects, Nicola Brandon. Photo - Cassandra Hannagan.