Bridget Kennedy is highly regarded contemporary jeweller and director of Bridget Kennedy Project Space in North Sydney. She was previously Co-director, Studio 20/17 in Dank Street Waterloo curating exhibitions, events and workshops between 2008 -2017.
Bridget had been a long-time supporter of Australian Design Centre and we spoke to her to find out why.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a contemporary jewellery and object artist and director of Bridget Kennedy Project Space, a combined jewellery gallery and workshop, committed to the philosophy of creating a connected, sustainably creative community. Alongside my workshop, I provide a retail area supporting Australasian jewellery and object artists, an ongoing exhibition program and continuing commitment to community activation with free workshops and other events. The use of diverse, non-precious and organic materials with traditionally precious materials in my exhibition work continues an ongoing enquiry into environmental fragility, impermanence, choice and value.
Why do you think it is important to support contemporary craft and design?
Because creativity really does matter. It’s vital to encourage and support creative thinking and the artists and designers who choose careers in this area. Creative thinking is essential to solving the challenging problems humanity finds itself in today. Craft, and making by hand, slows us down, reconnects us to ourselves and to each other. It adds texture and vibrancy to society and builds and strengthens community and culture.
Why do you donate to Australian Design Centre?
The Australian Design Centre is a vital advocate and supporter of Australian Craft and Design. It relies on private donations to continue. and build on, its exhibition and education programs. It supports Designer/Makers in various ways, by providing a retail venue for their work, opportunities for exhibiting, education, workshops and events for the public. It’s dedicated and passionate staff do this on a tiny budget. By choosing to spend my dollars in this way, I also feel like I’m doing a little good in this crazy world. And hey, it’s a tax deduction too – bonus!
What would you say to others who may be thinking of donating to ADC?
Even a small donation can make a huge difference to such an important advocate for Australian Craft and Design. You DO make a difference, you ARE valued and your financial support, no matter how insignificant you think it might be, WILL make a difference to the future of Craft and Design in Australia. If everyone on the ADC mailing list (yep, there’s over 15,000 of you) donated $10, imagine how AWESOME that would be? As someone once said ‘We are all but grains of sand, yet together we make a beach’.
Thanks for your ongoing support Bridget.
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Image: Portrait of Bridget Kennedy, 2018. Courtesy of the artist.