The Masters of Design

In 2017, Geelong was one of 64 international cities to be inducted into the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network. Twelve months on from this announcement, the National Wool Museum is helping retain that title, hosting not one but two exhibitions from Australian Design Masters.

In the first of two new exhibitions, be captivated by Masters: Art of the Precious Metal Object, a spectacular exhibition showcasing Australian design. This exceptional collection is the work of eleven masters of contemporary Australian goldsmithing, silversmithing and enamelling.

When speaking about the exhibition, the Director of the National Wool Museum, Padraic Fisher, says, “Masters: Art of the Precious Metal Object will feature over 60 exquisite pieces from eleven of Australia’s master goldsmiths, silversmiths and enamel artists –with many of the works created specifically for the exhibition.”

Masters: Art of the Precious Metal Object will reveal the meticulous craftsmanship and detailed artistry that is jewellery-making in Australia today. Discover the rich history behind the craft and the tools and techniques used to create intricate metal masterpieces.

Padraic Fisher advises, “Visitors to the National Wool Museum will have the chance to witness the work of master Australian designers. The work of artisans such as Kate Case, Joungmee Do, William Griffiths, Daehoon Kang, Helen Aitken-Kuhnan, Johannes Kuhnen, Leslie Mathews, Karl Millard, Philip Noakes, Debbie Sheezel, and Christopher Sherwin will be celebrated alongside Marion Hall Best in this City of Design exhibition double bill.” The Masters: Art of the Precious Metal Object exhibition will run at the National Wool Museum till 29th January 2019.

The second exhibition will celebrate the colourful career of one of Australia’s first independent and most influential Australian interior designers, Marion Hall Best. Marion Hall Best remains an inspiration to local and international designers alike, and her recognisable work is often described as dynamic, vibrant and avant-garde.

Marion Hall Best was considered a pioneer of international modernism, introducing it to Australians through her shops in Rowe Street Sydney and Queen Street Woollahra. She found inspiration in the modernist movement and the colour theory of artists of the inter-war years.

This exhibition showcases her extraordinary work spanning four decades from the mid-1930s, with a display of original furniture, fabrics, furnishings and design schemes. Her interior style radiates bold colours and patterns, and is unmistakable by her signature glazed painted finishes on walls and ceilings.

The Marion Hall Best: Interiors is a travelling exhibition from Sydney Living Museums. When asked about the display, Michael Lech, Exhibition Curator of Sydney Living Museums, said, “Marion Hall Best had a love of colour and an uncanny ability to use it to transform a room. Best’s ability to alter a space through colour has rarely been matched. Her work, once seen, is seldom forgotten.”

For a rare insight into the life and designs of Marion Hall Best, join the National Wool Museum for a truly unforgettable experience. Thursday 18 October, explore Marion Hall Best’s colourful creations during your lunch break. Discover her vibrant furniture, fabrics, furnishings and design schemes. Be taken on a 30-minute tour of the exhibition by Marion Hall Best specialist and exhibition curator, Michael Lech from Sydney Living Museums and National Wool Museum’s Senior Curator, Dr. Luke Keogh. Enjoy this fascinating tour, which will then be followed by lunch.

The Marion Hall Best: Interiors exhibition will run at the National Wool Museum until 25 November 2018.

For more information and to book tickets click here.

General admission tickets for both these events are available exclusively on site at The National Wool Museum – 26 Moorabool St, Geelong VIC 3220.