genU artists feature in a major exhibition that marks the 10-year anniversary of globally celebrated design studio Dowel Jones.
The award-winning practice has transformed a gallery at the Geelong National Wool Museum into a ‘house’ filled with 10 collaborative projects for Ten Years of Dowel Jones, launched on Friday 26 July.
genU’s James Street Gallery studio artists have created colourful, dynamic and playful papier-mache versions of the Dowel Jones Arcade Pendant for the exhibition.
Photography: Patrick Callow
Founders Adam Lynch and Dale Hardiman invited members of their creative community in Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney to take part – including local manufacturers, fellow designers, emerging artists and local children.
As long-time supporters of genU art programs, Adam and Dale were keen to collaborate again.
We both have James Street Gallery paintings hanging in our house – we personally love their art,” Dale said.
The idea for genU artists’ pendants was inspired by papier-mache bowls created by talented artist Melanie Saleh for a previous exhibition.
“We originally worked with genU in 2019 for an exhibition held at our Dowel Jones Showroom in Richmond,” Dale said.
“It included papier-mache pieces and when we started to plan our collaborations to celebrate 10 years, we immediately knew we’d like to include James Street Gallery.”
Amongst the furniture and other works on display their pendants have been the “crowd favourite” according to Dale.
James Street Gallery artists with art on display at the exhibition include Claudia Laurenti, Melanie Saleh, Sherri Russell, Marcus Lovell, Kyra Keenahan, Manuela Bortoletto, Jamie Connelly, Brooke Mitchell, Morgan Tasic and John Stewart.
Artist Morgan Tasic drew on her love of bright and vivid colour as inspiration for her pendant.
“I’m making papier-mache with fruit and vegetables. I just love all the colours of the rainbow,” she said.
Visit the Meet Dowel Jones exhibition:
Open until 24 November 2024
Geelong National Wool Museum
Wadawurrung Country, 26-32 Moorabool Street, Geelong VIC 3220
You can also visit the James Street Gallery in downtown Geelong to celebrate the works of our studio artists.