10 Artists Reimagine Archaeological Fragments In A New Exhibition

When the largest archaeological dig in Victorian heritage took area in the coronary heart of the CBD as portion of the Metro Tunnel Task in 2018, more than a million artefacts were being observed. Stays these kinds of as wheel ruts, cesspits, bluestone fittings and timber structures were being among the the results, most relationship back far more than 180 a long time to the early times of European settlement in Melbourne.

Even though substantial products are now stored completely by Heritage Victoria, several countless numbers of found out fragments from the dig like broken glass, shards of porcelain, wire and shells were deemed not significant adequate to be retained for heritage applications. 

Unwilling to see these ‘discarded’ items of background go to waste, Craft Victoria has collaborated with the Metro Tunnel Imaginative Program to have interaction 10 artists to reimagine these fragments for their hottest exhibition, ‘Unearthed.’

From ceramic amphorae, personal items of jewelry, to up to date objects and lighting, the 10 artists have developed new, repurposed is effective that reinterpret this part of history of Melbourne town. 

Potter Jack Balfour says, ‘There’s a large amount of unknowns when you are grinding down rust-encrusted nails, shells or slate… This material-led layout has brought new liberty to the way I get the job done. I’m ordinarily managed and regarded in just about every aspect of my exercise and getting the option to go into a bag entire of fragments that have a sturdy relationship to Melbourne – that is brought delight to what I have been making.’ 

Jack has designed 22 vessels for the exhibition, employing unearthed fragments which includes rust, copper wire and basalt to create mesmerising chemical reactions and textures on his pottery. 

Ceramicist Tantri Mustika harnessed a kaleidoscope of glass fragments to build textured vessels in her signature terrazzo style. ‘Doing the job with these identified products has been a unique and unusual working experience. Obtaining splendor in content that has been prolonged back shed and overlooked, and reimagining them as something lovely even though continue to preserving their kind in which they ended up identified.’ 

Also doing work with glass fragments are artist Iluka Sax-Williams and glass artist Dan Bowran, who have reworked these shards into ‘Coolamons’ – a standard item utilized by Indigenous people today to keep drinking water, foods and resources.

So also has artist Juan Castro, who has established a hanging light installation manufactured from glass fragments and resin  ‘On very first hearing about this job, I began to consider about the strategy of creating gentle from something that has been darkish for so extensive,’ he explains. 

Other goods in the exhibition involve vessels manufactured from glass and bookbinding thread by Jenna Lee two sets of gardening applications foraged from a pickaxe by Claire McArdle intricate jewelry items by Ruby Aitchison and ‘broached pins’ by Dale Hardiman and ACV Studio.

‘Unearthed’ is open from 1 October – 31 October at Craft Victoria. 

See the parts for sale in this article! 

Craft Victoria
Watson Location, Melbourne (off Flinders Lane)
Tuesday to Friday, 11am – 5pmSaturday, 11am – 4pm