Tandem 10 exhibition shows much more to art

Furniture made of hand knitted soft toys and large floral prints made from paper pulp will be just some of the art works on show from students when the fifth annual Tandem 10 Art Exhibition opens at the Space Gallery at the North Coast Institute of TAFE’s Lismore campus.

Tandem 10 is combined exhibition from both Southern Cross University and North Coast TAFE. It features five student exhibitors from each educational facility. It opens on Wednesday August 22, between 4.30pm and 6pm at the Conway Street campus.

“Tandem 10 is in its fifth year now and it continues to celebrate the interface between TAFE creative industries students and the University’s Bachelor of Visual Arts students,” SCU lecturer in digital art and design, Leonie Lane, said.

“At Southern Cross University, we see a lot of TAFE graduates entering into the second year of our visual arts program after their course completion. They come with established skills and an interest to take their work to a new level. TAFE in return receives some SCU graduates wanting to strengthen their skill base in various studio areas.

“Tandem 10 is a great way to reinforce and promote our mutual relationship. The students seem to get the best of both educational systems. Tandem 10 also recognises students who have worked well in their particular disciplines.”

The artists from Southern Cross University will present mixed media work including painting, printmaking, sculpture and photography. However, one exhibit is sure to capture the imagination.

“John Walters has made a 3D installation of furniture made from soft toys. It says something about hope and nurturing. When it was shown at our graduate exhibition last year it was a hit with children and adults alike,” Ms Lane said.

Other artists include Claire Atkins, Sally Cummins, Haromi Hayashi, Helen Herendi, Allan Lethbridge, Katherine Perrott, Bonnie Sevil, Karen Stone and Alma Studholme.

The exhibition will run from August 22 through to September 13. Opening hours of Space Gallery are from 9am to 5pm weekdays. Members of the public are invited to the exhibition opening.

Photo: Leonie Lane, of SCU, and Michael Cusack, of North Coast TAFE, on John Walters’ 3D installation of furniture made from soft toys.