New South Wales

Bridget Bodenham, Crackers, 2008, unglazed, sculpted, cut and pierced high fired stoneware clay.

The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition 2008 showcases some of Australia's most exciting, outward-looking and globally focussed
design. Recognised as the most prestigious award in Australian design, the show opens tomorrow at Object Gallery in Surry Hills (Sydney) and continues until 2.11.2008. There are 10 finalists, and we're giving you a sneak peak of just four of the works here - I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who can make it in person! (Each designer is represented by their Award entry as well as other designs from their broader body of work.)

Pictured above is "Nutcrackers" by Bridget Bodenham. These forms are directly influenced by the movement of grinding, cracking and crushing. They refer to the prehistoric or early food gathering cultures where food preparation was a physical act deeply connected to the environment and fundamental to the wellbeing of society. Bridget developed the forms through an intuitive play approach to weight, shape & surface texture. I particularly love the warm, muted earth colours and surface design!

John Hoogendoorn, Aurora Lamp, 2008, opal acrylic.

John Hoogendoorn's "Aurora Lamp" (pictured above) explores ideas in strengthening the emotional bond between objects and the user. It is made from acrylic layers representing the letter 'J'. Each part is twisted in relation to its neighbour to allow a complex 3D form to materialize from simple two dimensional components.

Trent Jansen, Kissing Pendants, 2008, pressed aluminium, CAD drawing.

The design of Trent Jansen's "Kissing Pendants" (above) is so simple - and brilliant! I would love to have these guys illuminating my personal space. The Kissing Pendants were designed as a sustainable piece of lighting, aiming to be involved in a lasting personal relationship with their owner, fostered by the human characteristics that this piece possesses. The pendants are an expression of the intimacy that exists between two people when they kiss. When the lights are off, the two shades hand separately, side by side, but when pushed together are held by a magnetic attraction. A magnetic reed switch then turns the lights on simultaneously.

Christina Waterson, Plexa Module, 2007, stainless steel.

"Plexa#1" (above) is Christina Waterson's series of interlocking modules that allow the individual to experiment, reinvent and personalise their surroundings. As modules are interlocked, the natural geometries that stem from material properties create elusive forms and surfaces. Plexa#1 is designed to use the otherwise useless strips leftover from industrial sheet processes and cutting.

If you live in Sydney, do get along - admission & inspiration are free! The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition 2008 is on at Object Gallery from 6.9.2008 to 2.11.2008. (St Margarets 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010. T. 02 9361 4511)

I am so excited to announce that we have a very special set of Bilingual "Instinct" interlocking rings to giveaway to one VERY lucky reader! I fell in love with the Bilingual label when I first discovered their unique interlocking rings a little over a year ago. Both the designs and the underlying ideas seemed to speak to me on a very personal level, and I'm sure many couples prefer this intimate & understated concept to traditional wedding rings.

This is such a special prize, and the set of rings is valued at $350 (AUD). The sterling silver "Instinct" rings can be linked to form one wearable piece or unified object and worn as a single piece for one, or separated and worn by each individual. If you plan to share - what could make a better gift for your loved one? To enter the draw, simply tell us whether you'd WEAR Bilingual's "Instinct" rings individually, or SHARE them with someone special! Make sure you're registered (quick + free) & logged in, and vote in the box at the top left of this page. Entries close 30.9.2008, and the winner will be drawn on 1.10.2008. Indies from all countries are eligible!

We will tell the tale of Bilingual in a number of instalments throughout September, starting, not surprisingly, at the beginning. The Bilingual collections are designed by Sydney-based Marta Niegowska. By day, she works as an interior designer (who finds herself obsessed with ceilings), and by night she uses the age old form of moulding wax into the sleek, contemporary forms of her unique unisex jewellery.

Born in Warsaw and moving to Australia with her parents when she was 4 years old, Marta always had a desire to create. After graduating from Sydney's COFA, she entred the interior design field, but soon became restless. She explains, "I was producing designs but physically I was just typing at a keyboard. I wanted to make something!"

A set of interlocking rings made for her partner saw the birth of Bilingual. The unusual designs drew attention and Marta found herself taking orders. She soon launched Bilingual at the Powerhouse Museum Youngblood Design Markets during Sydney Design Week in 2005. Since then, the brand has gained quite a following, and Marta has regularly exhibited her work at selected galleries and stores around Sydney.

Marta Niegowska, designer for Bilingual.

Marta works strictly in sterling silver due to its functionality and wearability. Much of her work is created using the 'Lost Wax' process, each design hand carved from wax and then cast in metal. More than just a beautiful adornment, wearers of Marta's designs are drawn to her concepts as much as her craftsmanship.

Integral to each piece is the concept of design for both men and women. Marta sees the unisex form as a way to completely explore an idea. The challenge is to ensure a piece does not become too feminine or masculine, and the designer will wear a design prototype for some months to gauge its functionality and success as a piece for the collection. Due to this extended process, Bilingual releases one concise collection per year. They are certainly worth the wait!

ENTER NOW! To enter the draw for a set of Bilingual's "Instinct" rings, tell us whether you'd WEAR the interlocking rings individually as a unified object, or SHARE them with someone special! Make sure you're registered & logged in, and vote in the box at the top left of this page.

We first discovered Sydney-based artist & designer Claire Suzy Stannard when she exhibited her contemporary jewellery & accessories at Hope Street Markets back in May. We were impressed then, and we're thrilled now to announce that Claire is having a solo exhibition titled 'Version 1' at Gallery Adagio (Glebe) in September. indie art & design is proudly sponsoring 'Version 1' & looking forward to posting an artist feature closer to the date!

Claire Suzy Stannard has always been fascinated with the flawlessness of geometric art & the purity of the etherial Platonic Form, eternal & beyond the reach of the mundane world of error and compromise. Her recent work explores the ideals of balance and symmetry in modern design. Displayed in 2- and 3-dimensions, Claire's work uses a variety of media including wood, perspex & recycled materials (commonly created then discarded by modern society) to create sculptures & wall-pieces that invite the viewer to partake of the geometric aesthetic.

The result is a playful exploration that resembles part 70s sci-fi movie set, brutalist forms from the old soviet block and some 1950s modernism for good measure.

'Version 1' opens on Friday 19th September, from 6pm - 9pm & continues until 6th October at:

Gallery Adagio
91 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe, NSW, 2009.
ph. 02 9552 2833

We're already looking forward to the opening! (These images look fantastic, so I can't wait to see more of Claire's work on show...)