Nicholas Bastin and Katherine Bowman, Conjuring Poiesis, 2019, polyurethane resin, pigment, glitter, clay, 220 x 130 x 140mm (Object grouping dimensions). Photo: Andrew Barcham

Conjuring Poiesis

Nicholas Bastin
Katherine Bowman

5 – 14 September 

Thu– Sat 12-5pm 

(OPENING)

Fri 6 September, 6-8pm 

at 

Albert Street Gallery 

307 Albert St 
Brunswick 3056 

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Nicholas Bastin and Katherine Bowman, Conjuring Poiesis, 2019, metallic cardboard, PVA, balsawood, clay, 130 x 150 x 40mm (Object grouping dimensions). Photo: Andrew Barcham

Katherine Bowman uses existing text as the starting point from which to imagine an alternate approach to jewellery as a rich cultural artefact. Bowman investigates the The Feminine and the Sacred by authors Catherine Clément and Julia Kristeva. This rich discussion that centres on cultural and human experience, and gendered identity, is seen by Bowman as a conduit for the lived emotional experience of the jewellery artefact. Nicholas Bastin considers the mode of the 3.75 inch action figure within the context of Greek mythological narratives and contemplates how these stories can be envisioned in a contemporary urban context. He constructs a sculptural milieu of both jewellery objects and works on paper, to create a mise en scène that evokes nostalgia associated with the mass-produced packaging that accompanies action figure toys. Exhibiting together, both artists explore mythology to consider an idiosyncratic voice of contemporary fiction in jewellery object and art making.

#conjuringpoiesis

Nicholas Bastin and Katherine Bowman, Conjuring Poiesis, 2019, polyurethane resin, pigment, glitter, copper, 570 x 360 x 20mm (Object grouping dimensions). Photo: Andrew Barcham

(ABOUT THE ARTISTS)
​
Nicholas Bastin is an artist who makes jewellery objects and works on paper, based on the fusion of popular culture mythology with historical artefact. He lives and works in Melbourne and has a BA, Fine Art (Honours) MA, Fine Art and Phd from RMIT University. He currently lectures in Gold & Silversmithing, School of Art at RMIT University. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Australia and internationally. He has work in both public and private collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Katherine Bowman is a Gold and Silversmith based in Melbourne. Katherine’s first degree was a Bachelor of Arts with a Double Major in Fine Art History from the University of Melbourne from 1988 -1991. She then completed a degree with Honours in Gold and Silversmithing at RMIT in 2001. In 2002, Katherine received an Australian Post Graduate Award and completed a Master of Arts through RMIT.Katherine was a founding member of Northcity4, a not for profit studio and school in Brunswick Victoria. She has taught in the School of Art at RMIT since 2006.