Bianca Suparto is a graduate student completing her Arts and Cultural Management degree at the University of Melbourne. Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, she moved to Naarm/Melbourne to be a part of the city’s diverse and vibrant arts scene. Bianca has a strong love for cinema and has helped coordinate several film festivals, and is currently a panelist for the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. Her other interests lie in the world of pop culture, internet culture, and life under capitalism.
Bianca's festival picks
Botanica Sculptilia
Presented by Gasworks Arts Park
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Elsa Thorp redefines traditional craft and its material state in Botanica Sculptilia. Thorp’s stunning botanical sculptures celebrate the organic forms afforded by Melbourne’s unique local flora and call into question what we consider as ‘natural.’ As part of its exhibition, the mix of naturally dried and fresh materials in the sculptures will slowly break down while on display at Gasworks Art Park. This process of decay is also documented by Thorp in a series of photographs that accompany these botanical sculptures – allowing you to view the beauty of the sculpture in real life alongside its future inevitable decay. Thorp’s work breaks away from conventional craft materials and its slow decomposition make it an unmissable Craft Contemporary event.
Bulk Buy
Presented by Testing Grounds & Alternative Ceramics Supply
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Ceramicists Claire Ellis, Sarah Muir-Smith and Georgia Stevenson have joined forces to create a new artist collective: Alternative Ceramics Supply. In Bulk Buy, the artists encourage viewers, especially fellow ceramic makers, to reconsider the standard mode of practice which relies on taking, making and wasting and reimagine more sustainable ways of creating ceramics. This exhibition-slash-retail experience at Testing Grounds features alternative ceramic materials made from reclaimed local industry byproducts, which ceramicists can purchase to experiment with it themselves. Suitable for professional makers, hobbyist ceramicists or even just art-lovers, Bulk Buy is a unique project that makes us all question our individual role towards creating and consuming more sustainable artworks.
Cinema Session: Fashion Reimagined
Presented by Boroondara Arts
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As a film fan, I couldn’t resist recommending a communal cinema session when it’s right there in the program. Boroondara Arts brings you a community screening of Fashion Reimagined, a documentary following fashion designer Amy Powney of cult label Mother of Pearl exploration into sustainable and ethical clothing. Raised off-the-grid by her environmental activist parents, Powney has always been concerned with the devastating environmental impact caused by her industry. Powney sheds light on the exploitative nature of the fashion industry and provides a look into the materials and labour required for the outfits in your wardrobe. Introduced by textile artist Tamara Russell, this film screening is a worthwhile watch for textile makers or literally anyone who wear clothes. Catch the doco alongside community at Hawthorn Arts Centre for $10.
Pine Needle Weaving with Aunty Glenda Nicholls
Presented by Koorie Heritage Trust
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Weaving has been a consistent craft practice among First Nations women yet the use of pine needles as a fibre began in the 1960s. After having been displaced from their own land and having reduced access to their traditional fibres, these women sought to use pine needles – an abundant resource in Western Victoria – as weaving material. In this free three-hour workshop guided by Aunty Glenda Nicholls, you will learn the art of Pine Needle Weaving and discover the Cultural significance of this craft, material, and the importance of Country. Held at Craft’s HQ, everyone is welcome but bookings are limited and hence essential. This workshop is beginner-friendly with all materials and light refreshments provided, just you and your hands are required for this workshop.
PROCESS
Presented by the Neighbourhood Justice Centre
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An artist talk, sharing session, refreshments and a free hand-on ceramic workshop where I can take my work home? Sign me up. Craft Fresh! alumnus Richard Monger brings together individual expression, personal self-reflection, and community in this two-hour hand building workshop at Collingwood’s Neighbourhood Justice Centre. Anyone and everyone over 18 are invited to partake in this beginner-friendly workshop where you can learn how to sculpt and decorate sun-dried clay cups. Participants can also have their work displayed in exhibition, in conjunction with other mixed medium emerging Melbourne-based artists. This workshop is completely free, all that’s required is registration either via email or phone.