My Designs at Hightide

A happy dance celebrating the Hightide Exhibition opening at artisan, Fortitude Valley Brisbane. Photo by Darcy Clarke.

With the fabulous Hightide: Queensland Design Now exhibition on show at artisan for only one more week, I thought I would share some of my work featured in the exhibition – up close and personal specially for all my interstate and international friends!

Final touches being made to solid timber X-screen (Komodo Series 2008) on installation day. Photography Simone Jones (artisan).

X-Screen view from below. I love the complexity of the weaving and the play of shadow from this angle. Photography Christina Waterson.

My special story boxes showing the conceptual development of work displayed and relationships between each series. Photography Christina Waterson.

Tracelet Story Box – tracing the conceptual development and potential of Tracelet 2012. Photography Christina Waterson.

Tracelet was on show alongside pieces that formed its conceptual development. These were presented in one of my archive story boxes that I make for each of my projects, installations or collections.

The Bloom Series 2009 Story Box showing the original small sculptural studies as well as formation of the seven piece furniture and home wares range. Photography Christina Waterson.

And my personal favourites Lift Stool and Tilt Mag Rack from the Bloom Series 2009. Photography Christina Waterson.

For those who can make to the exhibition before it ends drop into to artisan: idea skill product until 8 February 2014 to see all of the designers’ great work on show!

SOME GREAT NEWS ON THE WAY. Enjoy your day!

Early Flowering

Jacarandas in bloom at the University of Queensland, St Lucia (October 2013).

An early hot Australian summer saw many flowering trees bloom early. Delicate blooms with startling colours provided a haven for birds and insects. Here are a few of my favourites that bloomed in succession – some native and others embraced just the same as part of our urban landscape and lives.

A majestic Illawarra Flame Tree on Gloucester Street, Highgate Hill, Queensland (October 2013).

I was in Melbourne when the Silky Oak’s burnt honey blooms were in flower. This one spotted near SPACE Furniture in Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria (November 2013).

Arcade of Tamarind Trees flowering along Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill, Queensland (December 2013).

Fragrant Fiddle Wood Trees on Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill, Queensland (January 2014).

Such electric colours!

All photos by Christina Waterson.

Space + Moooi Design Residency Shortlist!

Space + Moooi 2014 Design Residency flyer featuring the iconic 5 O’Clock Chair
by Nika Zupanc for Moooi. Image courtesy of Space.

What a great way to start 2014! I have been shortlisted for the Space + Moooi 2014 Design Residency. View the official announcement at Space. The shortlisted Australian designers are:

1. Andrew Southwood-Jones and Alexander Kashin
2. Kristian Aus
3. Ross Gardan
4. Tom Fereday
5. Bradley Mitchell
6. Emma Elizabeth
7. Christina Waterson
8. Daniel To and Emma Aiston

It’s a delight to be in such esteemed company! The successful designer will spend two months with Moooi in Breda and Amsterdam, The Netherlands, under the guidance of Marcel Wanders, Founder, Art Director, Designer and Casper Vissers, Founder and CEO. Amazing!

Like the beautiful rippling effect of a droplet falling into a body of water, news of the shortlist has reverberated online through Vogue Living, Australian Design Review and closer to home at The Weekend Edition!

The winner of the residency will be announced on Thursday 13 February 2014 at a special event. STAY TUNED!

From the Vault 01

Yellow Field 1996 remade for a Private Collection 2010. Christina Waterson. Photography Jon Linkins.

Creative practice for me involves a daily ritual of making. And if I’m not making I am installing; photographing; trying to gain deeper understanding; packing; revaluing; playing with; transporting or beautifully rediscovering each study, artwork or design in their own unique light.

Here are a selection of studies and works from the Christina Waterson Archive or Vault (as I like to call it) some of which you may or may not have seen. Sharing work from the vault gives me perspective and lets me see work with fresh eyes. Enjoy!

Near Far Study 1996. Christina Waterson. Collection of the Artist. Photography by Christina Waterson.

Proofred 1999. Process documentation of work-light studies. Photography Christina Waterson.

Screen studies on light and reflection 2009. Realised through my Brisbane City Council Creative Sparks Grant. Photography Christina Waterson. (These are small – the size of a small notebook each)

Rhosshilli (Mapping) Study 2009. Christina Waterson. Ipswich Art Gallery Collection. Photography Jon Linkins.

Light Pixels (Bloom Series) 2009. Christina Waterson. Photography Jon Linkins.

Clove Bowl (Bloom Series) 2009. Photography Jon Linkins.

Inseparable Butterflies 2012. Commission for the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong. Photography Christina Waterson. (Scale can sometimes be deceiving this work is over 1700mm wide)

Soft Cell Study 2012 with Shadow Set shadows. Photography Tobias Titz.

Stay tuned for more from the vault…

Summer 2013/14

Colourful lichen covers a fence cross beam. If you look closely you can see a spider’s legs. The spider was hiding on the underside in the cool shade and was as large as my hand. SS13/14.

Returning to the place I grew up always encourages me to look deeper and dream larger. Here are but a few of the lovely moments of nature captured over summer at my parents place beside the Burnett River, near Bundaberg.

Dusk across the western paddocks SS13/14.

First time I have seen a bee swarm. We discovered the bees in a bottle brush tree on dusk. The next day the swarm had moved on. We hope they have found a home not too far away.

Looking south-east along the Burnett River SS1314.

Lightening strike at 3:00am through fly mesh SS13/14.

Pale Headed Rosella enjoying sunflower seeds from the garden SS13/14.