Material Language

Material Language celebrates the work, skill and achievements of three exceptional craft-based practitioners. Nadège Desgenétez, Joungmee Do and Prue Venables are acclaimed and highly respected artists in their chosen medium of glass, metalwork and ceramics, respectively. Each communicates a distinctly recognisable visual language – united by their material knowledge acquired over time, dedication and experience. As artists they share a fervent compulsion to make, alongside astute material sensibility and artistic inquiry – and most importantly, a deep curiosity and connection between heart and hand.

The globally renowned, Australian-based artists are specialist practitioners. Each artist has exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally, all receiving major awards and are held by significant public and private collections. Their work is celebrated for the artists’ technical prowess and material ingenuity that honours traditional craft practices, and their innovative and contemporary applications.

The exhibition presents significant works from across each artist’s career including select recent works – to showcase the progression of their work alongside their current practice.

Material Language is the first in a series of exhibitions presented by Craft to honour leaders and influencers in the field of craft and design, and notably in this exhibition, the outstanding achievements of women artists. The series will feature artists who have made significant contributions to Australian craft and design, applauding lifelong practice and the power of passion, grit and perseverance.