The Why We Create Launch

Guests start to arrive for the launch of the Why We Create series within TRACE at Pin-Up Project Space, Melbourne. Photography James Braund.

Invited guests from a diverse range of fields including Art, Design, IT, Engineering, Law, Media and Education joined the How We Create team for the Lunchtime Launch of the Why We Create Series.

The Why We Create initiative (founded by How We Create and I) seeks to spark a wider conversation about the process and value of design-led thinking in Australia. Interviews, discussions and public forums are occurring parallel to events that will take place across Australia over the next 12 months. The Launch of this series was held within TRACE at Pin-Up Project Space in Melbourne, on 16 May 2012, and marked the close of the exhibition.

Yes that’s me passionately speaking at the event. Photography James Braund.

Norman Johnson from How We Create and Palamont: art in manufacturing launched the series. I gave an intimate presentation into why I create, and the importance of creatives engaging with the wider business community.

Nicholas Rogers (Parameter Space) and Alexi Freeman (Alexi Freeman). Photography James Braund.

Fleur Watson in conversation (Pin-Up Project Space). Photography James Braund.

Gini Lee (Melbourne University) through Scale Screen. Photography James Braund.

Matt Ward with Martyn Hook (background). Photography James Braund.

Joanna Bosse, Gini Lee (Back) and Christina Waterson. Photography James Braund.

Simone LeAmon in focus. Photography James Braund.

Patricia Lee (Back)( Palamont), Alexi Freeman (Alexi Freeman), Norman Johnson (Back) (Palamont and How We Create) and Nicholas Rogers (Parameter Space). Photography James Braund.

Guests enjoyed good conversation and a beautiful selection of light tastes created by our special local friends Cibi (head, hands, heart) accompanied by refreshing organic apple juice and Pimms cocktails all served by the fabulous Boys and Girls team.

Special Thanks to Melbourne based photographer James Braund who documented the event exquisitely and of course to the team at How We Create.

Sugar Cane Country

South Johnstone Mill, South of Cairns, Queensland.

I grew up in Bundaberg sugar cane country. Bundaberg is defined by its rich red volcanic soil and endless sugar cane fields. Millaquin and Bingera Mill process sugar cane within the Bundaberg district. I have many vivid memories of cane burning, sheds filled with piles of raw sugar, giant rum vats and rich sweet smells experienced during countless school excursions to these mills. It left a lasting imprint in my memory.

While travelling from Cairns to Mission Beach I had the chance to revisit two of my favourite North Queensland Mills: South Johnstone and Babinda Mill.

 The scale of industry and the honesty of the construction.

Process dynamism uncontrived composition.

The mills were very quiet during my visit. The crushing season is June/July and November/December. A hive of activity occurs during crushing and still guides the cycle of life within these communities.

Locomotives now transport tonnes of freshly cut cane to the mills via hundreds of kilometres of cane train tracks. Cane harvesters cut the cane green now. Gone are the days when the sky would be filled with the glow of afternoon cane fires.

Cane train crossing sign near Babinda Mill.

Before the invention of the cane harvester the cane was cut by hand. Many of the early cane cutters would build houses (The Queenslanders) in the off-season. The Queenslanders that are dotted around Northern Queensland are testimony to their labour and the plentiful supply of timber in the area. Queenslanders were built entirely of native timbers.

Babinda Mill, South of Cairns.

Their form reminds me of large boats!

I know it must sound strange ‘A girl like me completely moved by places like this’. But there are things I find in these places that speak to me directly. They remind me of my home town and childhood summers. These industrial spaces have dramatic volume and light; almost like the cathedrals and mosques I have since visited in my adult life. They also have an honesty in material and planning that respond to the process, scale of industry and function.

The patina of time, season and use.

Cairns Nature

Beautiful Green Efficiency: Tree Trunk covered with climbing plants as they try to capture every bit of sunlight.

Entangled vines under the canopy

Beehive Ginger

Smooth Bark Kauri Pine

Fan Palm Canopy

Leaves on the track

Bursts of Colour

A Curtain Fig makes a slow run for it as it bridges a wall

Curtain Fig Detail

View from Cairns Botanical Gardens’ Red Walk looking over Trinity Inlet to the Coral Sea.

Powered by Kevin and Esther

Each morning as I start my day I head down to Boundary Road, West End and have a coffee. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I am not a morning person.

First port of call is always Kerith Brook Cafe to visit Kevin and Esther. I am literally powered by Kevin’s great kick-start coffee and Esther’s delicious breakfast. I usually blog for tracepattern from their cafe. (Yes I am there now!) Kerith Brook Cafe is more like a spacious living room than just a cafe. It is always a pleasure to hang out in their peaceful environment.

Kevin and Esther are such lovely, kind and sincere people! Thank you Kevin and Esther!

The Swap Table

In the foyer of Torbreck, my apartment building, there is a table. This is where you can pick up a newspaper or The Brisbane News as you arrive home.

Over the last few months something special has happened to the table. It has become the Residents’ Swap Table.

Books, magazines, outgrown children’s clothes, interesting utensils, dressmaker’s patterns, shoes, toys all sorts of things have stated arriving on the table.

The best thing is that you can pick up a book for the afternoon, have a little read, and if it’s not your thing you simply put it back on the table for someone else.

There is one rule I do keep. You must put something on the table to be able to pick an item up. I have placed Architecture Magazines, books and dress up clothes on the table, so I feel A-Ok about the odds and ends I have picked up.

Such a joy each morning to walk through the foyer and see what has arrived on the table overnight.

I do love the community at Torbreck! Thank you!

Through the Mist

I know I have been very quiet lately.

It’s not that I haven’t had anything to say. On the contrary there have been major breakthroughs, many meetings, presentations, travel interstate, planning, countless applications, interviews and writing.

There has been a wall of work like the thick mist I woke up to the other morning over Brisbane. It was in all directions. Incomprehensibly deep. It completely concealed any view out or clear way through.

Project by Project…

…interview by interview…

…etc by etc…

I have found my way clear and back to tracepattern.

Thoughts of my home at Easter

By the time Easter arrives the nights are cooler and so, in the mornings

Dew rests thickly on the ground tracing the spider webs through the grass and onto the fence line,

Upstairs Dad is making another cup of tea and listening to the radio,

The parrots arrive at the kitchen window… tap tap tap.

Dad rests a spoonful of honey on the verandah railing and leaves them to enjoy it,

Mum is out in the garden picking Rocket, Cilantro and Lettuce for lunch,

Butcher Birds and Kookaburras keep an eager eye on her action that may flush out a juicy insect,

The Hares have been munching on the garden greens poking through the mesh,

As I come down the stairs from the house I see them skipping off across the paddock

Every so often they pause before bounding away again.

Soon it will be time for a walk through the bush past the wild lemon tree and

Bush orchids nestled in the widowers where the eagles dry their wings,

Past the undergrowth where the Willy Wagtails dance and vines grow across the gullies

down to the edge of the river.

My thoughts are with my family and my home because I didn’t make it there for Easter…

Calm Before…

Morning Light: A moment of peace at Cibi

Before my exhibition installation I had a quiet moment at Cibi: a little Cafe on Keele Street near Pin-Up Architecture and Design Project Space, Melbourne.

I shared a great coffee with Kate Riggs (RMIT Architecture Student and Pin-up Student Assistant). Kate generously assisted me throughout the installation of TRACE.

Dahlias with Flame Lilies

Especially delightful were the beautiful flowers at Cibi. They were from a Wedding Reception held there the previous weekend. They reminded me of the flowers my Poppa and Nanna grew in their front garden.

...a deep breath and then to work!

Fab Furniture

'Fabulous Furniture' by Art Power

When I arrived home from my travels I had a special surprise waiting for me in the post!

Fabulous Furniture by Art Power! My Bloom Series was featured along with designers’ work from all over the globe!

Nice to be included!

Thank you Art Power for the terrific layout!

Way back home

on the way

I made a quick dash to the airport after brief meetings with Curators and Reps from the Design Museum: London and The V&A Museum.

I was on my way home…