Hello christinawaterson.com

christinawaterson.com homepage. For all project details and photography credits go to christinawaterson.com

Our new website went live late last year and since then we’ve received some lovely feedback and interesting projects. If you haven’t checked it out yet please head on over to christinawaterson.com

Project: Plexa #1 on the William Jolly Bridge, 2015. Photography Christina Waterson

There you’ll find featured a selection of our favourite projects and collaborations; beautiful photography; and a little background to our projects.

Advocacy highlight page at christinawaterson.com  For all project details and photography credits go to christinawaterson.com

You’ll also find info about some of the great Clients we’ve worked with as well as some insight into the depth of our creative practice in Art, Design and Advocacy.

Thank you to Wes Davis (Founder of Netprophets and MoPad) for a great website and hosting, and being an awesome creative to collaborate with; and Craig Rochfort (Founder of Jane Fender, Co-founder of the brand Art Park and founder of Rochfort Design Management) for beautiful curation of content. A Dream Team!

 

 

 

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!

Decade of Design: Brisbane News 959 Article

Feature: Design in Focus. Brisbane News Issue 959 Cover. Courtesy of Brisbane News.

This week a great article about Hightide: Queensland Design Now Exhibition was published in Brisbane News. A sample of designers, whose work is featured in the exhibition, were interviewed by Jane Scott and photographed by Richard Waugh and Megan Slade for Brisbane News. They included Jason Bird (author of Hightide, Luxxbox), Surya Graf (Sugarfry, Snack-on, Street and Garden) and Christina Waterson (yours truly).

Decade of Design: Jason Bird (Luxxbox) author of the Hightide: Queensland Design Now Book pictured within the exhibition at artisan, Fortitude Valley. Brisbane News Issue 959.

Surya Graf relaxing on his Wave Bench, Sunshine Coast. Christina Waterson pictured with X-Screen. Brisbane News Issue 959.

Jane Scott from Brisbane News was great to speak with. The interview felt more like an enjoyable conversation than a formal interview. Photographer Richard Waugh visited my studio to take the photograph for the Brisbane News article. We had a lot of fun and Richard captured some great photos with the natural light pouring in from the south. Thank you Jane and Richard!

Have a read of the article and let me know what you think! And definitely visit the Hightide: Queensland Design Now Exhibition to see the great work of all of the designers up close. The exhibition runs until 8 February 2014, at artisan: idea skill product in Fortitude Valley.

Groovy Stuff – DETAIL daily

Plexa#1 Screen from The Komodo Series 2008. Photography Aidan Murphy.

I always find it insightful to receive feedback and hear what other people draw from my artworks and designs. Recently Christopher Hill, online editor of DETAIL daily, posted about my work. Here I share with you a portion of the post:

“…Interpreting this ancient knowledge with her contemporary design sensibilities, gives her work a particular quality. No doubt informed by her architectural training, and knowledge of three dimensional geometry, it is also spatial.

The weavings and foldings of hard materials that she creates, are beautiful, full of skill, and utterly mesmerising.

The artist often finds beauty in repetition. It is this that transports the viewer deep into the spatial and rhythmic qualities of her work. It is almost impossible to resist being drawn into a kind of groove, an aesthetic state of bliss that involves being lost in their often delicate complexity…”

X-Screen from The Komodo Series 2008. Photography Jon Linkins.

Thank you Christopher Hill for your unique insights! Visit DETAIL daily for the full post.

 

 

HIGH TIDE’S Brisbane Berth

Crowd gathers for the Official Brisbane Launch of Hightide on 1 August 2013. All photos courtesy of Hightide and Luxxbox.

August started with a bang as the Hightide: Queensland Design Now book by Jason Bird was launched at Luxxbox Showroom in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

Formal Proceedings: Jason Bird speaks of his passion for the book as Andrew Mackenzie (URO Media) and Hon. Ian Walker MP wait in the wings.

Hon. Ian Walker MP, Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts officially launched the book with a heartfelt speech. Guests included design professionals; the DIA; Robert Forster (Co-Founder of the Go Betweens) who wrote an essay for the book entitled ‘Beautiful Loneliness’; media; avid design students; and of course the designers featured in the book.

The Hightide Team: Bjorn Rust (Designer)(Gestalt-Ingenieur), Andrew Mackenzie (Publisher, URO Media), Ellie Gleeson (Editor) and Jason Bird (Author and Founder)(Luxxbox).

The celebrations continue: Hightiders Marc Harrison (Husque) and David Shaw (SG) enjoy a chat with our Minister.

Hightide Catch: Christina Waterson (yes thats me!) with Darcy Clarke (Designer) and Ari Athans (Jeweller).

This man is a legend: Robert Forster (Co-Founder of The Go Betweens) shimmies through the crowd.

Party On: Ok so some of the designers kicked up their heels and had a little fun playing up for the cameras!

Hightiders: Beautiful Fukutoshi Ueno and rogue Darcy Clarke share peace and love.

What’s you name? A kind stranger balances the Hightide Book – Brisbane launch success! Voilà!

STAY TUNED! The Hightide Queensland Design exhibition will open at artisan: idea skill product in late october and run from 25 October to 21 December 2013. On display will be key works from each of the 23 designers featured in the book. It’s going to be a great way to end the year – on a high note!

All photos courtesy of Hightide and Luxxbox. Thank you again for a great evening! For a preview of the Hightide: Queensland Design Now book visit Bjorn Rust’s awesome flick through video or to secure your copy go to URO Media.

DEPTH of FIELD

Depth of Field written by Kirril Shields for (Inside) #72 pg 96 -100.

I am proud to share with you an article about my practice just published within the pages of (Inside) #72 Magazine; called Depth of Field, written by Kirril Shields.

It is special to have a treasured moment like this. To share with a wide audience, listen to what other people make of my projects, to reflect, to gain perspective and celebrate the people who contribute to my practice.

Beautiful layout by Niche Media. Special Thanks to Leanne Amodeo (Editor) and Kirril Shields (Writer).

Thank you to my photographers Jon Linkins, Christopher Frederick Jones, David Sandison and Tobias Titz. All have imagery featured in this article (captured over many years). Thank you to clients and collaborators such as Aurecon and Cox Rayner Architects.

Thank you to the makers and suppliers including Palamont: art in manufacturing, Rockpress, Everything Metal, B&S Washers and Reverse Garbage.

Thank you to the venues that hosted the exhibitions and installations including The Brisbane Convention Centre, The State Library of Queensland and Pin-up Project Space, Melbourne.

Thank you to the organisations that have supported research, development, realisation and exhibition of the works featured via Grants, Fellowships and Sponsorship including Arts Queensland, The Brisbane City Council, The Winston Churchill Fellowship Memorial Trust, The Australian Council for the Arts and Howwecreate.com.

Wow!

Thank you to the people that inspire me; peers and confidants. My love to family and friends. Such support!

Yes the list is long. It would be remiss of me to say I did it all on my own. It does actually take many passionate individuals and organisations and in-depth conversation and massive amounts of true belief. 

Inside #72 Cover

You can read the full Depth of Field article online at Australiandesignreview.com or BETTER STILL head to your news stand and get a copy in the flesh. I have to say (Inside) #72 presents a wealth of Australian Design talent including interviews with Kate Stokes, John Goulder, and Design by Them just to name a few…

2012 Queensland Smart Design Awards

The Qld Smart Design Fellow Nominees ( L > R): Anne-Marie Willis, Christina Waterson, Shane Thompson, Natalie Wright and Kevin Finn. Photography Darcy Clarke.

The Queensland Smart Design Awards recognise the importance of design to business, lifestyle and innovation through the presentation of A Queensland Smart Design Fellowship and an Emerging Design Leader Award. The Queensland Smart Design Fellowship is given to an individual who has significantly contributed to developing a design culture within Queensland. Entrants may be from any industry or sector.

I personally believe that you are only as good as the people around you. It was therefore an absolute honour to be shortlisted for the Design Fellowship alongside such committed Queensland individuals. Each of the Nominees have an undeniable passion for design-led thinking and an openness to share, tempered with direct experience and intellect. The nominees were  Kevin Finn, Shane Thompson, Christina Waterson (Yes that’s me!), Anne-Marie Willis and Natalie Wright.

Architect, Shane Thompson was awarded The 2012 Queensland Smart Design Fellowship at a special event held at The State Library of Queensland on 28 June 2012. Shane is someone who I have always admired. He is a strong design advocate and talented individual with a down to earth character and relaxed way. Congratulations Shane!

Congratulations to all of the Nominees! Such a pleasure to know you!

Check out the full story at Queenslandersign and Arts Queensland.

Brisbane Insiders

Brisbane Insider

With Brisbane Indesign (BID) only 53 Days away, creatives all ’round town are abuzz with planning, making, and collaborating to ensure it is an event to remember!

I was invited by Indesign to be a Brisbane Insider, that is, share my personal experience of Brisbane including places I like to snack, hangout etc. in a cool one page format.

I especially liked Designer Surya Graf's Insider Substation love...I often run into him at Cup...

... I enjoyed the perspective of Interior Designer Erin Dore (I would like to meet Erin...Maybe at BID!)...

...and always Architect Robert Riddel's eloquence and beautiful handwriting.

RESPECT!

Check out all of the Brisbane Insiders and their unique insights at Brisbane Indesign!

TRACE The Opening

Trace Opening Speeches: Norman Johnson (How We Create and Palamont), Fleur Watson (Pin-Up Project Space) and yes that's cheeky me. Photography by Tobias Titz.

Pin Up Project Space. Photography Tobias Titz.

I was so excited to finally share the works in Trace at Pin-Up Architecture and Design Project Space, Melbourne.  This opportunity to exhibit was made possible through the team at Pin-Up Project space. The generous support of How We Create (in mentorship, feedback, prototyping and sponsorship) ensured an amazing exhibition that is truly my best and most inspirational to date. After completing Official Duties I was able to enjoy catching up with the guests who attended the Trace opening.

Dear friends and colleagues Pawel Zab and Brett Duke. Photography by Tobias Titz.

New Scale Screen in the foreground was assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Photography by Tobias Titz.

Norman Johnson (How We Create and Manager of Palamont) and Patricia Lee (Talented Product Design Officer at Palamont) also prototyped TRACE bracelet for the exhibition...Stay Tuned for details! Photography by Tobias Titz.

The beautiful Amy Hoffman (Light Project) with Simone Steel (Pin-up) who assisted in the lighting and installation of Trace respectively. Photography by Tobias Titz.

Ewan McEoin (Studio Propeller), Kate Rhodes (RMIT Design Hub) and Laura Sullivan (Pin Up). Photography by Tobias Titz.

Looking back through the space. Photography by Tobias Titz.

A very special thank you to Tobias Titz who captured the opening Night beautifully. Please see more of Tobias’ great work at his website.

NEED TO KNOW!!!

TRACE invite

I hit the ground running on my return to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Meetings….Studio Work… Submitting my Winston Churchill Fellowship Report… Working with Pin-Up… Receiving awesome sponsorship from How We Create…THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN!!!

Playing with Rubber… asking myself Who am I? Who do I think I am after all of the experiences with amazing people from all over the globe… And of course, Lots and Lots of MAKING…

Well the last few weeks I have not blogged much. That’s because I have been in full prep mode for my SOLO exhibition TRACE at Pin-Up Project Space in Melbourne Australia…

TRACE maps and connects the underlying conceptual ideas that thread through the practice of Brisbane based architect and artist Christina Waterson. By physically surveying the origins of her work, the new collection embodies a 3-dimensional ‘trace’, sketch or echo of past trajectories. A softening of material and a simplification of line results in Waterson’s return to essential forms and qualities. Like a stone smoothed by the tidal waters of the ocean, sharp lines soften to tactile curves and arabesques. A palette of materials that range from rubber, leather and felt resonate with a return to artisan values within the traditions of leather work, sewing, beading and macramé.

A collection of work within the exhibition is informed by Waterson’s recent Winston Churchill Fellowship Research experiences.

I am so excited about the new work I may explode at any moment! Stay Tuned!!!