The Antipodean Steampunk Show

On display at the Tweed River Art Gallery , Murwillumbah , was The Antipodean Steampunk Show, 3^rd June to 4^th August

Curated by Kirsten Fitzpatrick, The Antipodean Steampunk Show is an artisan travelling exhibition supported by the Contemporary Touring Initiative through Visions of Australia, an Australian Government program,and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy an initiative of the Australian Government , state and territory governments. supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia.

As a curator, exhibitions manager and writer specialising in contemporary craft, design and popular culture, Kirsten Fitzpatrick, has curated over 100 exhibitions ranging from solo to major thematic group shows presented at national and international venues including the Milan Furniture Fair (Italy), Galerie Handwerk (Germany) and the Ningbo Art Museum in China. 

The Antipodean Steampunk Show contains over 70 works from 21 artisans, covering a plethora of mediums: Film/animation , drawing, sculpture , assemblage art , industrial design , painting , printmaking. The works on display in The Antipodean Steampunk Show have been created by Australian artists and designers whose craftsmanship and attention to detail will reignite your sense of wonder for the world and its possibility.

Steampunk up until recently has been a growing subculture in the cosplay scenes of comic conventions but it has started to break into the mainstream.

Beginning in the 1980's , the Steampunk movement is a reaction to mass production and consumerism ,combining craft and technology and nostalgia for the past. The Victorian age was an age when beauty, craftsmanship and the longevity of an object was of higher value . In contrast, our modern world is fixated on speed, designed obsolescence, cheap materials and the on rock bottom dollar . The steampunk aesthetic pays homage to the spirit of the Victorian era fusing it with science fiction, fantasy , technology , romance and humor and embodies a sense of hope for a better present and future. It is a quest to seek a slower pace of living, thereby creating social cohesion and stability.

Michelle Murray says “The steampunk community is very special, not just a fad or fashion. Foremost it welcomes all, with many unique interpretations and a fluid philosophy. It's in that spirit of inclusion, steampunk artists, working in all mediums, are encouraged, supported and helped.”

The artisans have used brass , copper , iron and polished timbers as well as a blend of contemporary recycled and upcycled materials. The use of these materials and the blend of optimism and ingenuity is reflected in the eclectic mix of fashion, jewellery, photography, film and machinery which has been produced.

A few artworks in this exhibition that stand out are; Tim Wetherell’s complex Clockwork universe, Russell Anderson’s Tea-bag jiggler 5, the meticulous photographic compositions of Kate O’Brien , Chanelle Collier’s intricate book sculpture La Chasse au Météore , Michelle Murray’s glittering jewellery in Newromancer and Caleb Heinselman's functional media player, Mercuryphone, Anthony Lucas's animation , The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello.

Each of these artworks reflects the indivudual artist exceptional and unique skill in their chosen mediums and effectively convey the steampunk ideals.

These works were displayed in the main gallery. The space is a large open room , artificially lit by overhead lights , with white walls. The openness of the space has been divided up with partitions, creating alcoves in an attempt to improve the intimacy of the space.

Due to the large variety of mediums used in the works the method of presentation reflects this . Most sculptures and fashion ware were placed on plinths , tho some were hung on the wall , paintings and photographs were hung at eye level. Some seating was provided in the alcove which displayed the animation by Anthony Lucas.

Those who attended the opening of this exhibition were treated to a display of cosplay costumes worn by gallery staff and steampunk fans. A short parade, as well as a speech by local store owner of Pulp fiction gave greater insight into the steampunk culture in the Murwillumbah area.

This Exhibition was opened by Kate O'Brien, a contributing artist, unfortunately during her official opening speech many of the crowd appeared disinterested and left. Kate O'Brien described how she draws upon art history and vintage fashion to take viewers on a journey through time. Her photographs are staged character portraits composed of items found in op shops, liquidators and antique dealers with many of her concepts taking years to create. She also teaches herself dying crafts to complete elements of her works.

While Kirsten Fitzpatrick has been successful in gathering a comprehensive collection of Steampunk artifacts the display of these works at the Murwillumbah gallery was unsuccessful. The gallery space was too large for many of the intimate works , the lighting too bright and the stark white walls left many of the pieces with a sense of lost in the white void. After seeing this collection exhibited at other galleries, greater attention could have been given to compliment these works by creating an atmosphere which better suited the works.

This exhibition , the first major Steampunk exhibition in the country , is an imaginarium of otherworld delights and can be enjoyed by young and old alike, from train enthusiasts to sci-fi fans and the ever growing fanbase for the steampunk genre .

The exhibition will be touring Australia from 2013 to 2015 . For locations and dates visit www.artisan.org.au