JamFactory’s Assistant Curator Adele Sliuzas
introduces her upcoming Project, Be
Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the Barossa.
In the second half of
2014 JamFactory I am curating an exhibition titled Be Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the Barossa. I thought it
would be great to share a little bit about the project as it develops!
Be Consumed is
a project that focuses on a number of
creative collaborations between leading artist and designers and renowned food
and wine producers from the Barossa. It looks at the relationships between food,
wine, art and design, and celebrates the distinctive contexts and
characteristics of the iconic Australian region.
As curator of the
exhibition, I am excited to be working with some of South Australia’s finest!
There has been a lot of enthusiasm for the collaboration from both artists and
producers, who are keen to share their artisan skills.
Be Consumed is
a unique opportunity for producers from different industries to work together,
share ideas, skills and stories. The collaborative aspect is at the core of the
project, with a major focus on mutual exchange. We are interested in seeing the
kind of creative ideas that come out of different people working together.
 |
| Morning meeting with artist Stephanie James-Manttan and Producer Jan Angas at Hutton Vale Farm |
Having met with a few of
the artists and producers, I can already see the parallels that run between the
collaborators processes. Artisans of Barossa spoke of the ancient tradition of
wine making, while their collaborator Andy Baldwin noted the similarly ancient
tradition of glass blowing, his chosen medium. At Carême, ceramicist Susan
Frost noted some parallels between preparing pastry and preparing clay. Other
collaborators shared a similar ethos in terms of making, whether it be art or
food. These simple ties are what will allow the artists and the producers to
develop an understanding of each other.
Be Consumed
is an important project for JamFactory, and as part of our first year in the
Barossa, it is a chance for us to get to know the locals. The collaborations
kick off professional and personal relationships, as well as strengthening
creative networks within existing communities.
The selected artists work
across various mediums, including ceramics, jewellery, glass and furniture,
echoing JamFactory’s commitment to craft and design. They have been commissioned to produce new
works for the exhibition, and throughout the next few months will be developing
ideas that respond to the producers business. Curatorially, I am really
interested in seeing how the works evolve throughout the collaboration. The artists
may choose to reflect upon the core concepts of the producers business, draw
ideas from stories of the region, or respond directly to the processes used in
production of food or wine. I am looking forward to seeing how these stories
are drawn out and unfold.
 |
| Making Cheese at Barossa Valley Cheese Company |
Be Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the
Barossa brings together 12
strongly craft-based artist and designers with 12 Barossa food and wine
producers who are equally dedicated to the fine craft traditions of their
industries. Exhibiting artists include Andrew Baldwin, Honor Freeman, Susan
Frost, Jon Goulder, Stephanie James-Manttan, Leslie Matthews, mono (John Quan
and Kumiko Nakajima), Wayne Mcara, Julia Robinson, Prue Venables, Janice
Vitkovsky, Gerry Wedd. Barossa producers are Jan Angas of Hutton Vale,
Appellation, Artisans of Barossa, Barossa Coffee Roasters, The Barossa Valley
Cheese Company, Carême Traditional Pastry, FermentAsian, Fino, Maggie Beer,
Saskia Beer, Seppeltsfield Winery and Yalumba.
Exhibition dates:
JamFactory Adelaide 26
September – 29 November 2014
 |
| Pickled Vegetables at Fino |
 |
| JamFactory's Assistant Curator Adele Sliuzas |
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