Fin Seccombe
Young Guns
08 February 2005
An exhibition featuring the work of 23 Tasmanian designers is on show in the Atrium of the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart as part of Young Designers Month. The display incorporates jewellery, textiles, fashion and furniture and celebrates the innovation and diversity of Tasmania’s emerging designers. The exhibition is accompanied by a series of public forums, workshops and discussions.
Young Designers Month has grown substantially since it began four years ago. It has now become a travelling exhibition, with the showcase heading to the Design Centre in Launceston in March and then to Stanley Artworks gallery to coincide with the Ten Days on the Island festival in early April.
The program balances professional development opportunities for local designers with a series of public events. The key event for designers is the opportunity to participate in a three-day workshop with Paris-based designer, Arik Levy. The workshop considers the role of light and how it can be manipulated through intelligent designing.
Among those taking part in the exhibition is Fin Seccombe, a furniture designer who works in wood, aluminium and steel. Promoting environmentally sustainable design processes, Seccombe has worked to integrate biodegradable materials into her design practice. “I have developed cast aluminium and bent steel framework with upholstery and a unique material which is completely biodegradable to replace fibreglass applications in indoor furniture,” Seccombe says. “The development of this material was inspired by my professional aim to design environmentally sustainable materials into contemporary furniture.”
Another designer whose work features in the display is Tim Buckley, who has created his own line of bags. “My handbags use a combination of new and vintage fabrics,” Buckley says. “I believe that by contrasting new and old fabrics, colours and textures I can differentiate these handbags from any mass produced product.”
Another major event happening in conjunction with Young Designers Month is Design Degusation, which explores the art of food and wine with a six course menu created by Peter Althaus and Xavier Mouche.
More Information
Young Designers Month, 2005
11 February – 6 March (and then touring in March and April)
Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hunter Street, Hobart
Details: (03) 6210 7700
Website: http://www.arts.tas.gov.au/ydm
