re/JOY

22 November 2024 - 19 February 2025

Ceramic artist Vipoo Srivilasa's solo exhibition re/JOY represents his most significant body of work to date, and the largest he has ever attempted.

For this collaborative community project Vipoo has taken seven precious, yet broken, ceramic objects donated by strangers, each with their own story of migration to different parts of Australia. Around these pieces he has built seven towering, large-scale works, plus a smaller one in honour of his own story. re/JOY aims to engage with overseas-born Australians, but anyone will recognise the connections we form with objects that hold special memories and can evoke strong emotions.

Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2024, Australian Design Centre makes a significant contribution as a cultural organisation curating artist-led projects in contemporary craft and design. Through these projects we celebrate the value of objects and the importance of design in everyday life.

In 2023, Vipoo Srivilasa received a Creative Australia grant for re/JOY with ADC as the commissioning partner.

Curated by Lisa Cahill, ADC’s CEO and Artistic Director, and designed by Stephen Goddard, re/JOY captures the diversity of migration stories and how people build their different lives in Australia. It also looks at the complex feelings and challenges that come with relocating countries and finding a new place to belong, the pain of leaving family and friends, the difficulties of applying to stay. In the project development stage, Vipoo was assisted by curator Tian Zhang, who specialises in collaboration and social change, to realise his artistic vision for re/JOY.

re/JOY is a joyful, playful and hopeful project – a rich tapestry of humanity. We thank the seven people who donated their broken objects and stories to this project.

Read Vipoo's interview with Daniel Browning on ABC Radio's Art Show here.

Book

Vipoo Srivilasa - Positive Art Work, a major monograph about the artist and his practice, including a chapter on re/JOY, is now available from Australian Design Centre's Object Shop. This book is co-published with Paper Boat Press EDITIONS.

ADC On Tour

The exhibition will tour Australia from 2025 to 2027 with ADC On Tour, Australian Design Centre’s national exhibition touring program, supported by regional gallery partners.

Australian Design Centre, NSW 22 November – 19 February 2025
JamFactory at Seppeltsfield, SA 8 March - 22 June 2025
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, TAS 11 July– 24 August 2025
Geelong Gallery, VIC 6 September - 2 November 2025
Tweed Art Gallery, NSW 14 November - 8 February 2026
Shoalhaven Regional Art Gallery, NSW 21 February - 2 May 2026
Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, NSW 17 July - August 2026
Rockhampton Museum of Art, QLD 19 September - 15 November 2026
Cairns Art Gallery, QLD 28 November - 7 February 2027

Participate

re/TOLD

In the exhibition we invite you to share your story about a broken object from a faraway place that is meaningful to you.

• How did this object come into your life?
• What is meaningful about it for you?
• How did it break?
• How would you repair it?
• Is it part of your migration story?

Draw your object and record your story on the blue paper with a white pen.

Stories will be displayed in the exhibition and may travel to other places, sharing your story far and wide as the exhibition continues its journey.

Events

Positive Art Work: Book Signing

Celebrate Vipoo Srivilasa's new book, Positive Art Work, with a book signing at the Centre. This comprehensive monograph celebrates over 25 years of Vipoo Srivilasa’s influential career in ceramics.

Positive Art Work is published by Paper Boat Press EDITIONS with Australian Design Centre.

When: Saturday, 23 November, 11:00 am – 11:30am
Where: Australian Design Centre
Tickets: Reserve your copy here

Register to reserve a book for Vipoo to sign for you in person. Books must be purchased from Object Shop prior to signing. Limited spots available.

Restoring Happiness

Restoring Happiness is a public maker space where Vipoo Srivilasa invites you to bring a small broken object with personal significance and transform it into an artwork.

When: Saturday, 23 November, 11:30 am –3:00 pm
Where: Australian Design Centre
Tickets: Free, book here

Free Exhibition Tours

Make the most of your trip to the Australian Design Centre with a free exhibition tour. The gallery team will introduce you to the current exhibitions and Object Shop.

When: Thursdays, 12.30pm
Tickets: Book here or call on us on 9361 4555 to make a booking or register at the front desk 10 minutes prior to tour time. 
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program and Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.