Sydney Festival 2021 has launched its Australian Made program. In his fifth and final year as Festival Director, Wesley Enoch’s program focuses on recovering, reconnecting and reinvigorating Australia’s artists and communities after this challenging year for the creative sector.
This year the festival will celebrate the best that Australia has to offer with our internationally acclaimed artists and creative companies presenting new theatre, dance, live music and much more. The people of Sydney are invited to enjoy and explore over 140 events, performances, exhibitions, talks and experiences, many of them free, during 6 – 26 January.
We are delighted to announce that Australian Design Centre is part of this exciting program. We are presenting two exhibitions, multiple workshops, maker talks and a special Sydney Festival edition of our renowned Makers Market.
On show from 26 November 2020 is the exhibition Isolate | Make: Creative Resilience in a Pandemic. In response to Covid-19, we invited nine makers to participate in this project. Working across a diversity of practice, these local makers share their creative process and final works made during Covid-19. During the Festival in January there will be a range of artist talks and workshops. Join paper engineer Benja Harney for a creative papermaking workshop on Wednesday 20 January 2021 and take a relaxed clay workshop with artist and ceramicist Glenn Barkley on Thursday 21 January 2021.
Also launching 26 November 2020, Design Isolate explores how creative practice may have changed for makers during this year either as a result of social isolation, the associated restrictions and production challenges, or simply in response to the tragic global events. 60+ designers/creative thinkers document their thoughts on Covid-19, isolation, what ‘a new normal’ Australia might look like in a handmade journal with sketches, diagrams, collage and text. Join designer and educator Melinda Young for two creative journaling workshops on 14 January 2021and also a panel of designers will be discussing their creative experiences during Covid19 that evening.
Mark in your diary the Sydney Festival edition of ADC’s boutique Makers Market. Join us Saturday 23 January 2021 between 10am -4pm under the shady trees of Palmer Street Darlinghurst (outside of ADC) as 20+ local creatives pop up in a one-day only market and shop for all the things you didn’t get for Christmas! Jewellery, textiles, homewares, and so much more. Get amongst the Sydney Festival buzz and support Sydney’s craftspeople and designers. Find out more here.
Explore the full Sydney Festival program here.
Image: Liz Payne, courtesy Australian Design Centre, 2020. Paulo do Prado, Design Isolate journal page, 2020. Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
