Object: stories of design and craft

Australian Design Centre
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Contemporary design and craft in Australia. Season 3 goes behind the scenes of the 2023 MAKE Award, Australia's newest and richest national award celebrating innovation in contemporary craft and design. Meet the winner Vipoo Srivilasa; and finalists High Tea with Mrs Woo; Julie Blyfield, Csongvay Blackwood, and Johannes Kuhnen. Hear from MAKE Award judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes. Season 2 is all about ceramics - production pottery, teaching and learning with clay, museum collections, personal collecting, working with galleries, and ceramics writing and photography. Hear from Ilona Topolcsanyi, Brett Stone, Jane Sawyer, Robyn Phelan and Eva Czernis-Ryl. Season 1 explores the Masters of Craft - nationally and internationally acclaimed Australian craftspeople working in ceramics, jewellery, textiles and metal. Why does their work matter? How do they keep going? What’s their advice for makers now? Hear from artists Prue Venables, Jeff Mincham, Lola Greeno, Liz Williamson, Les Blakebrough, Marian Hosking and Robert Baines, and go behind the scenes on the making of the 'Living Treasures' program with Brian Parkes. Object: stories of design and craft is by the Australian Design Centre. It's hosted by our CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill. Production by Jane Curtis, with production support by Alix Fiveash. Sound engineering by John Jacobs.

  1. 3D AGO

    Helen Britton: Living Treasure Master of Australian Craft

    Helen Britton is a multidisciplinary Australian artist based in Munich, Germany. Her practice includes jewellery, sculpture, drawings, stencils and installations, and is informed by popular culture, threatened traditions, environmental destruction and human anxiety. The Australian Design Centre honoured Helen as a Living Treasure in 2025. GuestsJulie Ewington is a writer and a curator and sometimes a broadcaster living on Gadigal land in Sydney. Show highlights and takeawaysChildhood in Newcastle [00:05] Growing up in working-class Newcastle exposed Helen to industrial processes that became foundational to her art. "We were taken as tiny children to the BHP and we watched them pour tonnes of molten steel... Watching this steel for making ships being poured... It was fairly impressive." These early experiences with molten materials and manufacturing processes sparked her lifelong fascination with material transformation. Creative making was everyday life [5:00] Helen's mother encouraged constant making. "You'd spend your weekend, doing stuff making things, gluing things together, sewing things, not necessarily always practical things." Her grandfather was a blacksmith who even shod horses for the Australian Olympic team, embedding craft traditions deeply in family life. Making material connections[6:00] Helen was drawn to understanding material processes from start to finish. "Thinking about the connection between the grass and the cow, and the milk and the butter and the ice cream that was made. This was really important to me as a child. I loved making those connections in my mind." Helen's Godmother's house [7:00] At her godmother Kath Carr's house on Yaegl Country near Yamba, Helen painted porcelain, pressed flowers, and made jewelry with polished stones. "There was never any hierarchy of what you did, it flowed from one activity to the other. And I think that was incredibly formative for me as an artist." Comprehensive art education foundation [10:00] Helen completed 12 years of university education across Newcastle, Sydney, and Perth. At Edith Cowan University, she did "13 hours a week for three years" of life drawing, plus printmaking, textiles, painting, photography, and cultural studies - building a thorough technical foundation. Julie Ewington's discovery moment [11:00] Curator Julie Ewington describes receiving Helen's master's degree work: "A beautiful wooden little box... with 15 or 20 objects each in their own little compartment... mostly broaches... unexpected combinations of things like pearls and plastic, silver and tin. She's no respecter of conventional value." Research drives material choices [14:00] Helen's material selection comes from deep historical research. "I get fascinated by certain, often objects or practices or geographical locations and their histories. And so I will then go and find out about them. I'll research them." Glass birds led to Thuringia discovery [14:20] A chance encounter at a Munich Christmas market with glass ornaments led to exploring the 500-year history of glassmaking in Thuringia's forests. Glass makers settled there in 1497 after being "driven from through one of the many wars out of Bohemia" because the region had "forests, sand and water" - everything needed for glassmaking. Long-term process [17:00] Helen's research and creative process happens over many years. Describing her work in Thuringia, "I started in 2001, researching there... And I couldn't make work about that experience until 2007. And then subsequent exhibitions around the glass animals happened in 2009, 2018, 2020...

    32 min
  2. Johannes Kuhnen, MAKE Award finalist

    12/18/2023

    Johannes Kuhnen, MAKE Award finalist

    Host Lisa Cahill chats with master metalsmith Johannes Kuhnen.  Johannes Kuhnen is one of the pioneers of anodised aluminium metalwork. In this episode, Johannes explains why he finds anodising annoying, and his design process. Hear from judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes on his MAKE Award entry, Remnant Green. Johannes Kuhnen is one of Australia's most well recognised silversmiths. Johannes' practice has remained at the forefront of innovation, in particular his pioneering use of anodised aluminium. A fascination with the colour options of the aluminium continue to provide inspiration for his work and have also inspired many others to explore such potential. Guests Johannes KuhnenJason Smith, Director and CEO of Geelong Gallery, VictoriaHyeyoung CHO, Chair of the Korea Association of Art and Design, and expert panel member of the Loewe Foundation Craft PrizeBrian Parkes, CEO at JamFactory, Adelaide, South Australia Credits Object is a podcast of the Australian Design Centre and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney, Australia. It's hosted by CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill and produced by Jane Curtis, in collaboration with Lisa Cahill. Sound Engineering is by John Jacobs.

    17 min
  3. Csongvay Blackwood, MAKE Award finalist

    12/10/2023

    Csongvay Blackwood, MAKE Award finalist

    Host Lisa Cahill chats with partners in life and work, Csilla Csongvay and Matt Blackwood. In this episode, Csilla and Matt share the inspirations behind their work, what it takes to enter an award, and how they made a single sculpture from 100 pieces of clay. Hear from judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes on their work, Walk the Line Version 7. Guests Csilla CsongvayMatt BlackwoodJason Smith, Director and CEO of Geelong Gallery, VictoriaHyeyoung CHO, Chair of the Korea Association of Art and Design, and expert panel member of the Loewe Foundation Craft PrizeBrian Parkes, CEO at JamFactory, Adelaide, South Australia Credits Object is a podcast of the Australian Design Centre and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney, Australia. It's hosted by CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill and produced by Jane Curtis, in collaboration with Lisa Cahill. Sound Engineering is by John Jacobs.

    21 min
  4. Julie Blyfield, MAKE Award finalist

    12/03/2023

    Julie Blyfield, MAKE Award finalist

    Host Lisa Cahill chats with contemporary jeweller Julie Blyfield. Hear how Julie's MAKE Award entry is inspired by love and loss.  Julie Blyfield is a South Australian artist renowned for her work inspired by collected botanical specimens and forms. Using the traditional metalsmithing techniques of chasing and repoussé, Blyfield makes intricately textured pieces, which capture the essence of the Australian natural landscape. Award judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes share their thoughts on Julie’s work Memento Vivere (Remember to live). Episode photo by Grant Hancock. Guests Julie Blyfield, contemporary jewellerJason Smith, Director and CEO of Geelong Gallery, VictoriaHyeyoung CHO, Chair of the Korea Association of Art and Design, and expert panel member of the Loewe Foundation Craft PrizeBrian Parkes, CEO at JamFactory, Adelaide, South Australia Credits Object is a podcast of the Australian Design Centre and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney, Australia. It's hosted by CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill and produced by Jane Curtis, in collaboration with Lisa Cahill. Sound Engineering is by John Jacobs.

    20 min
  5. High Tea with Mrs Woo, MAKE Award finalist

    11/27/2023

    High Tea with Mrs Woo, MAKE Award finalist

    Meet clothing designers High Tea With Mrs Woo. Rowena, Angela and Juliana Foong are three sisters who run a clothing label that focuses on sustainability and ethical production and who collaborate on design, making, mending and more.  In this episode, you'll hear comments from MAKE Award judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes. And find out, Who is Mrs Woo? What are the innovative ideas behind their work Resilience Coat? High Tea with Mrs Woo is a sustainable fashion practice, crafting clothes and accessories for modern thoughtful living. Their work features natural fibre fabrics, ethically made, through circular design. Credits Object is a podcast of the Australian Design Centre and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney, Australia. It's hosted by CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill and produced by Jane Curtis, in collaboration with Lisa Cahill. Sound Engineering is by John Jacobs.

    22 min
  6. MAKE Award winner, ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa

    11/19/2023

    MAKE Award winner, ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa

    Meet the winner of the Inaugural MAKE Award, ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa. Vipoo tells us about the themes that inspire his work, the process of making the winning piece Diverse Dominion Deities, his strategic approach to the MAKE award, and Vipoo's ongoing charity project 'Clay For'. Hear comments from judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes on what made this sculpture a prize-winning work.  About Vipoo Srivilasa Melbourne-based, Thai-born Australian artist Vipoo Srivilasa creates artwork that is positive, accessible, and beautiful. His practice primarily focuses on ceramics, though he also produces works on paper, mixed-media sculptures, bronze statues, and large-scale public art installations. He often incorporates food and interactive performance into his ceramic projects, creating a unique and immersive experience for viewers. Guests Vipoo Srivilasa, ceramic artistJason Smith, Director and CEO of Geelong Gallery VictoriaHyeyoung Cho, Chair of the Korea Association of Art and Design, and expert panel member of the Loewe Foundation Craft PrizeBrian Parkes, CEO at Jam Factory in Adelaide, South Australia Credits Object is a podcast of the Australian Design Centre and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney, Australia. It's hosted by CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill and produced by Jane Curtis, in collaboration with Lisa Cahill. Sound Engineering is by John Jacobs. Image episode photo by Simon Strong.

    22 min
  7. Series 3: Behind the scenes of the MAKE Award

    SEASON 3 TRAILER

    Series 3: Behind the scenes of the MAKE Award

    Series 3 introduces the winner, four finalists and the judges of Australia’s newest and richest award for contemporary craft - the MAKE Award. This major new national award by us, the Australian Design Centre, celebrates innovation in contemporary craft and design. Over five episodes you’ll meet winner Vipoo Srivilasa and finalists the Foong Sisters (High Tea with Mrs Woo), Julie Blyfield, Csilla Csongvay and Matt Blackwood (Csongvay Blackwood), and Johannes Kuhnen.  You’ll hear the stories behind their work, and reflections and comments from the MAKE Award judges. “An award can establish a career,” Johannes Kuhnen. Object is a podcast by the Australian Design Centre and is hosted its CEO and Artistic Director, Lisa Cahill. Produced by Jane Curtis and sound by John Jacobs. Produced on Gadigal and Wangal Country in Sydney, Australia.

    2 min

  8. 03/09/2023

    Museums and ceramics with Eva Czernis-Ryl

    Meet Powerhouse curator Eva Czernis-Ryl and hear The skills of a museum curatorHow curators select and interpret objects What makes a work of ceramics suitable for a museum collection?The unique history of ceramics collected by the Powerhouse And hear ceramic artist and former editor of The Australian Journal of Ceramics Vicki Grima on setting up a ‘living bequest’ fund for ceramics. Eva Czernis-Ryl is an art and design historian and curator of Arts and Design at the Powerhouse in Sydney. Vicki Grima, OAM, was the editor of The Journal of Australian Ceramics and CEO of the Australian Ceramics Association from 2005 to February 2023. She’s also a practicing ceramic artist. Object is a podcast of the Australian Design Centre. We'd like to thank Visions of Australia, the Federal government’s regional exhibition touring program for funding support towards this podcast. Object is hosted by Lisa Cahill and produced by Jane Curtis, with production support from Alix Fiveash. Sound Engineering is by John Jacobs.

    21 min
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Trailers

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About

Contemporary design and craft in Australia. Season 3 goes behind the scenes of the 2023 MAKE Award, Australia's newest and richest national award celebrating innovation in contemporary craft and design. Meet the winner Vipoo Srivilasa; and finalists High Tea with Mrs Woo; Julie Blyfield, Csongvay Blackwood, and Johannes Kuhnen. Hear from MAKE Award judges Jason Smith, Hyeyoung Cho and Brian Parkes. Season 2 is all about ceramics - production pottery, teaching and learning with clay, museum collections, personal collecting, working with galleries, and ceramics writing and photography. Hear from Ilona Topolcsanyi, Brett Stone, Jane Sawyer, Robyn Phelan and Eva Czernis-Ryl. Season 1 explores the Masters of Craft - nationally and internationally acclaimed Australian craftspeople working in ceramics, jewellery, textiles and metal. Why does their work matter? How do they keep going? What’s their advice for makers now? Hear from artists Prue Venables, Jeff Mincham, Lola Greeno, Liz Williamson, Les Blakebrough, Marian Hosking and Robert Baines, and go behind the scenes on the making of the 'Living Treasures' program with Brian Parkes. Object: stories of design and craft is by the Australian Design Centre. It's hosted by our CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill. Production by Jane Curtis, with production support by Alix Fiveash. Sound engineering by John Jacobs.

Information

  • Creator
    Australian Design Centre
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Australian Design Centre
  • Show Website
    Object: stories of design and craft

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