Up To Us: An All Female Exhibition
In a landmark exhibition as part of Melbourne Design Week, Up To Us invites 22 Australian female creatives to come together to answer one question: ‘What if it is up to us to design the changes we want to see?’
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Ying Ang & Marie Luise Skibbe
The Bloom – Queen Nandi by Fatuma and Laurinda Ndenzako of Collective Closets and Sandra Githinj celebrates African female figures whose stories have been long forgotten. Photo: Ying Ang
‘Having been fortunate to collaborate with many wonderful architects, artists, interior designers and photographers throughout my career I have a strong appreciation for cross-disciplinary collaboration and wonderful, unexpected creative outcomes that it fosters,’ say Sally Piskuric, pictured with co-producer, Alison Lasek. Photo: Marie Luise Skibbe
Coming together for the first time for a landmark exhibition, Up to Us, as part of Melbourne Design Week, graphic designer and art director Sally Piskuric, and communications manager Alison Lasek asked 22 Australian female artists, designers, and makers to create new artworks together. Inspired by previous historic milestones, the show explores women’s rights, inequality and current events through the lens of one question: ‘What if it is up to us?’.
Sally and Alison reached out to women from a range of industries and asked them to choose a collaborator they wanted to work alongside to create a piece for the exhibition.
‘Bringing together designers from different practices, with different ways of thinking, problem solving, different design and production processes means the pieces become something completely unique. A complete fusing of two disciplines – which is what we are really trying to encourage,’ says Sally.
A few of the show’s highlights include large scale ‘dishes’ from Beci Orpin and Ella Reweti, a mixed media installation about the power of failing from Tai Snaith and Pascale Gomes-McNabb, a rainbow light sculpture deliberating gender roles by Kate Stokes and Amanda Dziedzic, and a hand-sewn installation where you can give or take unsolicited advice by Josie Young and Amy Mills.
‘At a time like this: with extreme social, political and ecological uncertainty, it’s instinctive for designers to dream of utopian solutions. We know, because we see it time and time again, that by dreaming big and working together, can we shift radical ideas into the mainstream and create movements for change,’ says Sally
As a creative who has been living and working in Melbourne her entire career, Sally has been continually inspired by local female designers; drawn to their work and conscious of the risks they take, which has in turn allowed her to believe in and explore her own creative ideas.
‘I love that women in this city are running their own incredible businesses, making amazing products and building a strong sense of community. I think creative women in Melbourne really make an effort to support one another.’
All proceeds from Up To Us’ speaker series ticket sales and merchandise will be donated to two charities doing incredible work to support women; Djirra and Safe Steps.
‘I’m especially proud that this exhibition has helped to acknowledge and raised funds for the two phenomenal charities - they both do amazing work to support and empower women.’
Beci Orpin and Ella Reweti. Photo: Marie Luise Skibbe
Hear #2 by Beci Orpin and Ella Reweti. Photo: Ying Ang
The incredible Andromeda by Kate Stokes and Amanda Dziedzic. Photo: Ying Ang
Kate Stokes and Amanda Dziedzic in the studio. Photo: Marie Luise Skibbe
“When curating the show, I was looking for women who had actively supported or mentored other women in the industry, who were passionate about women’s and human rights issues and who were known for their collaborative nature.”
“I’m so proud Up to Us has brought attention to many crucial female-centred issues – it shows what amazing work and change can be created when women come together and support one another.”
Tai Snaith and Pascale Gomes-McNabb in the studio. Photo: Marie Luise Skibbe
Tai Snaith and Pascale Gomes-McNabb. Photo: Marie Luise Skibbe
Unsolicited Advice by Josie Young and Amy Mills. Photo: Ying Ang
VISIT
UP TO US
Le Space Gallery – 1 Mater Street, Collingwood
