Dr. Kevin Murray

“I feel it is important to encourage exhibition standard in craft work, as this will become our future heritage. A collection can give prestige and recognition to the artist, which is useful in furthering their career. Personally, I like the opportunity to share a passion for contemporary craft with experts in the field. ”

— Dr Kevin Murray

Dr Kevin Murray is an independent writer and curator, Adjunct Professor at RMIT University and Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. In 2000-2007 he was Director of Craft Victoria where he developed the Scarf Festival and the South Project, a four-year program of exchange involving Melbourne, Wellington, Santiago and Johannesburg. His books include Craft Unbound: Make the Common Precious (Thames & Hudson, 2005) and Place and Adornment: A History of Contemporary Jewellery in Australia and New Zealand (2014). He is currently a Vice-President of the World Craft Council Asia Pacific Region, board member of Ethical Metalsmiths.

More information is at www.kevinmurray.com.au

Image from Scarf Festival, Craft Victoria, 2004.

Sarah Edwards

“My vision is that the work of contemporary craft practitioners is profiled to the broadest possible audience across Victoria through public display, and globally via the Bluestone website.”

— Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards is inspired by natural history museums and their role in preserving and representing nature. She worked for fifteen years at Museum Victoria providing access to its science and social history collections. Sarah is currently undertaking a PhD within the School of Art at RMIT, Melbourne. Her research investigates the tension that exists between the quest for permanence in museum practice and the ephemerality of nature, using the mediums of light and sound in response to site-specificity.

Sarah’s interest in participating in collecting contemporary craft stems from her interest in museums and their role in the display and care of collections. She brings first-hand experience in collection management and display techniques to the Bluestone Collective

Anna Davern

Anna Davern completed her undergraduate degree in Jewellery and Object Design at Sydney College of the Arts in 1993. She gained her subsequent Masters degree in Gold and Silversmithing from RMIT in 2003.

In 20 years of practice, Davern has held three solo exhibitions at Craft Victoria and has been represented in numerous Australian and international solo and group exhibitions including a recent survey of Australian art at the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Taipei. In 2011 she co-founded Northcity4, an ARI that provides professional and creative opportunities to the Australian contemporary jewellery community.

She has been the recipient of grants from the Australia Council, Arts Victoria and NAVA and in 2007 she undertook a residency at the Estonian Academy of Art. Davern has taught and lectured at universities and TAFEs in Australia and at the Estonian Academy of Art.

Anna Davern’s practice straddles the visual arts, jewellery, fashion and education. She teaches, writes, curates and primarily makes jewellery and objects from the Northcity4 studios in Brunswick, Melbourne. Anna is a well-respected artist within the Australian contemporary jewellery and craft communities.

Nagaina - brooch, 2010. Reworked biscuit tin, sublimation printed steel, garnet beads. 100x100x5mm. photo: Terence Bogue

Robyn Phelan

“The Bluestone Collection is a tangible way for me to support exhibition practice amongst crafts people in Victoria. Our collection actively collects artwork that represents fascinating craft practice. These works stimulate me and in the long term will become part of the Victoria contemporary craft history.
Artwork: Depleted, 2010, Southern Ice Porcelain Paper Clay”

— Robyn Phelan

Robyn Phelan is a Melbourne based artist & writer.She primarily works with the ceramic process and her practice critiques ceramic and art history, a sense of place and formal sculptural issues.Robyn has worked professionally in the visual arts including positions at Craft Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, Museums Australia (Victoria) and in secondary schools.

More information is at www.robynphelan.com.au

Depleted, 2010, Southern Ice Porcelain Paper Clay, photos: Christopher Sanders Photography

Roseanne Bartley

Roseanne Bartley practices at the intersection between material culture and conceptual practice. Trained as a contemporary jeweller, she creates objects, performance and/or interactive experiences. Her processes encompass walking, collecting, observing, making, interacting, instructing and documenting.

Born in New Zealand, Roseanne completed a Master of Fine Arts at RMIT University. She is currently a PhD candidate in the School of Architecture and Design, and lectures at both RMIT University and Monash University. Roseanne has been awarded numerous grants including the Australia Council Barcelona Studio in 2004 and Australia Council New Work Grants in 2001, 2006 and 2012. Her work has been selected for national and international exhibitions, most recently Unexpected Pleasures, NGV and Design Museum, UK (2012-13); Melbourne Now, NGV (2013–14); andSuspended in Green, Vienna and Munich (2014).

More infomation is at www.roseannebartley.wordpress.com