Cross-continental exhibition celebrates skilled hands and shared culture

Cross-continental exhibition celebrates skilled hands and shared culture

A new cross-continental online exhibition hosted by RMIT Gallery explores the important role of art, craft and design practices in sustaining culture and community in Australia and Vietnam.

Skilled Hands, Shared Culture celebrates the 2020 Vietnam Festival of Creativity and Design and features 20 contemporary Vietnamese and Australian designers, artists and crafts people whose work contributes to supporting vibrant, sustainable communities.

Paula Toal, Head of Cultural and Public Engagement at RMIT University, said the exhibition was a great example of rising to the challenges of delivering programming and engagement in a virtual context during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re delighted these works and online exhibition can connect us to contemporary craft to inspire our tactile imaginations,” she said.

"While these artists may not necessarily consider themselves agents of social change, the nature of their work has the power to foster a community spirit that creates a sense of belonging and self-worth and deeply impacts communities, economies, and creative expression."

 

Thư Kim Vũ, Daily Conversation/ Hội thoại hàng ngày, 2019. Thư Kim Vũ, Daily Conversation/ Hội thoại hàng ngày, 2019.

Director of the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Art Studies Bui Hoai Son said the exhibition was a great opportunity to build further connections between Vietnam and Australia.

“This exhibition will bring exceptional ideas in the fields of art and culture and create opportunities for the artists to exchange, and build a stronger relationship between Vietnam and Australia,” he said.


Vicki Couzens, with senior weavers Bronwyn Razem, Donna Blackall, Susan Martin. Weaving installation. Photo: G Bundle. Vicki Couzens, with senior weavers Bronwyn Razem, Donna Blackall, Susan Martin. Weaving installation. Photo: G Bundle.

Skilled Hands, Shared Culture was developed in partnership with RMIT’s Contemporary Art & Social Transformation (CAST) Research Group, the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Art Studies (VICAS), Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association (VIETCRAFT) and RMIT Vietnam.

The exhibition features artists from Vietnam; Le Giang, Nguyễn Tấn Phát, Nguyễn Thị Dũng, Nguyễn Văn Lợi, Phạm Thị Ngọc Trâm, Thư Kim Vũ , Văn Ngô Trọng, and Australia; Claire Tracey, Grace Lillian Lee, Lindy de Wijn, Michelle Hamer, Muhubo Salieman, Slow Art Collective (Dylan Martorell & Chaco Kato), Vermin (Lia Tabrah & Perina Drummond), Vicki Couzens, Vipoo Srivilasa, Yu Fang Chi, Kieren Karritpul.

Visit the RMIT Gallery online exhibition here.

Join the corresponding  sustainable fashion event here at 6-7pm (DST):  Culture, Clothing & Connections: Exploring environmental, cultural and creative sustainability in fashion and textiles with host Rimi Khan and speakers speakers: Vu Thao, Aleksandra Nedeljkovic, Léuli Eshrāghi.

Story: Evelyn Tsitas 

12 November 2020

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12 November 2020

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  • RMIT Vietnam
  • Arts and culture
  • PEG
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