Indian Ocean region shared and celebrated at international craft festival

A major Western Australian arts festival aims to change how we see craft and the role it can play in today’s society.

Curtin is a founding partner of the Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA24), which debuted in 2021 and will see artists from across the Indian Ocean region exhibit their work from August to October.

John Curtin Gallery and Curtin’s School of Design and the Built Environment will be among the dozens of venues across the state hosting exhibitions, workshops and events — including the flagship Futuring Craft 24: The Value of Craft conference.

The John Curtin Gallery is part of three major IOTA exhibitions, along with Fremantle Arts Centre and Holmes à Court Gallery @ no.10.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said the partnership with IOTA was a perfect extension of the University’s proud history in supporting the arts community locally and abroad.

“Curtin has a network of campuses across the Indian Ocean rim and IOTA’s commitment to engaging with communities throughout the region aligns perfectly with ours,” Professor Hayne said.

“Curtin’s distinguished contribution to the arts spans more than 50 years; signing on as IOTA’s Founding Partner will ensure our students, staff and alumni will continue to benefit.

“It will also help to further cement Curtin’s reputation as a leading University by providing opportunities for artists and communities in various countries to come together, share knowledge and increase understanding of the wonderful cultural diversity throughout the Indian Ocean region.”

IOTA24 will highlight the work of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian artists, alongside international exhibitors coming from diverse countries such as Iran and South Africa.

Malaysian collective Pangrok Sulap create intricate carved woodblock prints on fabric which tell community stories — and invite local communities to participate in the process.

The group are creating a 12m piece for IOTA24, which the Curtin community are invited to contribute to by dancing on the woodblock as part of the printing process on Friday, July 26.

Indonesian artist Ari Bayuaji, meanwhile, incorporates used fishing net and rope waste in his work — an approach which not only produces stunning results, but also provides livelihoods to local weavers in Bali, where he has established a weaving school.

IOTA co-founders and curators Carola Akindele-Obe and Jude van der Merwe said craft was an ideal tool to learn more about the region’s many distinct cultures.

“Craft can educate, entertain and express emotion all while transcending language, economic and social barriers,” Ms Akindele-Obe said.

“The Indian Ocean region has a deep history of traditional culture and knowledge, skills and experiences, which could be better appreciated in Australia and connected across the region,” Ms van der Merwe said.

John Curtin Gallery Associate Director Associate Professor Susanna Castleden said the Gallery’s mission was to interrogate contemporary issues through the visual arts and it was a privilege for Curtin to host some of the world’s most innovative artists.

“The craft makers invited to IOTA do this by creating ambitious works, which adopt new technologies, adapt to environments and reinterpret stories,” Associate Professor Castleden said.

“We’re excited to provide a world-class space in which to exhibit and to offer Gallery visitors the chance to learn more about the region they live in, by engaging with extraordinary examples of artistic expression.”

IOTA24 is at John Curtin Gallery from August 2 to September 29 (‘Codes in Parallel’) and at Curtin DBE from September 3-18 (‘Stitch as Code’) and October 7 to November 3 (‘String Craft: Bilum + Dilly Bags’).