Feature... MAKE Awards
Woods Bagot 2023, Photo: Cory Roberts
The MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design is a new national award celebrating innovation in contemporary craft and design.
Words by Lisa Cahill.
Lisa is CEO and Artistic Director of Australian Design Centre.
The winner of the MAKE Award receives a cash prize of $35,000 with a second prize of $10,000, making it the richest non-acquisitive prize for craft and design in Australia.
The MAKE Award was open to designer/makers working across all related disciplines including ceramics, glass, furniture/woodwork, metalwork, textiles and fibre, and contemporary jewellery. Entries were encouraged from designer/makers with a high level of skill either working with materials that are new to their practice, new or traditional materials, or working in new and innovative ways.
The aim of MAKE Award is to acknowledge the richness and diversity of creative talent in craft and design practice in Australia.
“Australia has a wealth of creative talent and this new award aims to give an elevated platform to that talent, shining a spotlight on the energy and innovation in craft and design practice,” said Lisa Cahill, CEO and Artistic Director of Australian Design Centre.
"With the backing of a generous donor, Australian Design Centre, decided to extend its support for the contemporary craft and design community by championing this national award."
The MAKE Award is unique in Australia but is inspired by international award programs such as the Burke Prize, offered by the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, and the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize.
A total of 187 entries were received from designer makers working across the fields of ceramics, glass, furniture, metal, jewellery, textiles and fibre.
Jessica Murtagh, Self checkout of Sisyphus, 2023, Photo: Jesse Reagon
Carly Tarkari Dodd, Auntys Bag, Photo: Connor Patterson
The judges have selected 30 finalists.
Luke Abbot (NSW), Kelly Austin (TAS), Andrea Barker (TAS), Julie Blyfield (SA), Samuel Burns (Sabu Studio) (VIC), Lisa Cahill (glass artist) (ACT), Cobi Cockburn (NSW),
Csongvay Blackwood (VIC), Carly Tarkari Dodd (SA), Evan Dunstone (NSW), Gretal Ferguson (SA), Rowena Foong (High Tea with Mrs Woo) (NSW), Hannah Gason (ACT)
Minqi Gu (QLD), Kumuntjai Napanangka Jack (NT), Cara Johnson (VIC), Sherrie Knipe (QLD), Korban + Flaubert (NSW), Johannes Kuhnen (ACT), Ruth Ju-shih Li (NSW), Brenda Livermore (NSW), Nick Mount (SA), Jessica Murtagh (SA), Kenny (Yong soo) Son (NSW),
Studio Ventana X Tim Noone (NSW), Vipoo Srivilasa (VIC), Bic Tieu (NSW), Angela Valamanesh (SA), Liz Williamson (NSW), Damien Wright and Bonhula Yunupingu (VIC/NT)
The judges are Lisa Cahill, CEO and Artistic Director, Australian Design Centre; Hyeyoung CHO, Chairperson, The Korea Association of Art and Design and Jury Member Loewe Craft Prize; Brian Parkes, CEO, JamFactory; Jason Smith, Director, Geelong Gallery.
MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design is showing at JamFactory Adelaide from 15 December - 28 April 2024.