UC staff show off their creative side

Amanda Powell

21 July 2011: A new exhibition featuring work from arts and design staff at the University of Canberra opens at the Belconnen Arts Centre on Friday.

Creative Practice is a collection of works from more than 16 staff who teach design, industrial design and media and graphic design at the University.

“This exhibition is based on the tension between theory and practice,” Dianne Firth, curator of the exhibition, said. “Many of us use practice to fuel our research, which in turn is reflected in our practice.”

Dr Firth, head of landscape architecture, said the work is “visually engaging and worthy of a wider showing”.

Dr Firth's 'Drainage Basin' piece will feature at the exhibition

The artists include Stephen Barrass, Greg Battye, Livio Bonollo, Sandra Burr, Ann Cleary, Peter Copeman, Digital Design Research Group, Dianne Firth, Peter Freeman, Stephen Frith, Chris Hardy, Bob Miller, Carlos Montana Hoyos, Lisa Scharoun, Jen Webb, Mitchell Whitelaw and Jordan Williams.

The work that will be presented covers a wide range of fields including landscape architecture, industrial design, architecture, media arts and creative writing.

“It is not only a diverse and engaging exhibition for a range of interests, it demonstrates the opportunities for research beyond the conventional mould,” Dr Firth said.

'Ribbon Sculpture' from Dr Carlos Montana Hoyos' A-LA-LATA collection will also be on display

The exhibition will be officially opened by Lyndon Anderson, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design tomorrow at 6pm and will be on public display from 22 July- 7 August.

A ‘Meet the Artists’ event will also be held on Sunday 31 July at 3pm. During this event the public will be able to ask questions and hear further about the work of the artists and designers.

Peter Copeman will also provide a work in progress reading of his forthcoming play Walter and Marion on Sunday 7 August at 4pm.

Dr Copeman was awarded a Fredrick Watson Research Fellowship at the National Archives of Australia to help write a biographical play about the Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.

The Belconnen Arts Centre is open from 10am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday.

For more information visit: www.belconnenartscentre.com.au

For more photos please visit:
http://www.canberra.edu.au/monitor/multimedia/uc-staff-show-their-creative-practice-side