14 Jan 2020
A new collaborative initiative between Norwegian Crafts and Objectspace will begin in January 2020
Media release from Objectspace
The work will inform a seminar series in Romsa/Tromsø in November 2020 exploring indigenous craft practices with reference to both Aotearoa New Zealand and the indigenous community in Sápmi, the Northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Alongside this series, a major exhibition will also be developed in partnership.
The project aims to further dialogue about indigenous craft practices and contemporary craft from both Aotearoa New Zealand and Norway.
One of the key outcomes will be the strengthening of new and existing connections and an enriched understanding of working with diverse communities. Both Objectspace and Norwegian Crafts are undertaking work to address ways in which their institutions can honour indigenous making practices.
Objectspace has been working with Norwegian Crafts for the last two years. It is an exciting milestone to formalise this partnership, working together to extend research in the field of contemporary craft for both organisations, says Objectspace director, Kim Paton.
Led by curator, exhibition programmes, Norwegian Crafts, Lars Sture and Objectspace community development curator, Zoe Black, the collaboration is part of the Norwegian Crafts Curator in Residence programme and builds on the major community development project, launched by Objectspace in 2018.
Objectspace’s community development project is a framework for how the gallery engages practitioners, communities of makers and audiences. Through co-design and collaborative programming, the project aims to remove barriers to access and build long-term relationships with practitioners and communities from Moana Oceania, Asia and under-represented communities living in Aotearoa New Zealand. These relationships result in exhibitions developed in partnership with the communities to promote and advocate for critically under-represented craft and object art forms.
We’re looking forward to strengthening our collaboration with Objectspace in the years to come. After our visit to Aotearoa New Zealand in February this year it was clear to us that we can learn a lot from our colleagues at Objectspace, in particular from their work with the community development project, says Hege Henriksen, director of Norwegian Crafts.
This project was made possible through the support of Arts Council Norway and Creative New Zealand. The collaboration will continue into 2021 to support continued dialogue and further explore the work and discussions from the seminar in November 2020.
For further information, contact Sahar Lone, Partnerships & Communications Manager, Objectspace Sahar@Objectspace.org.nz
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