Wayfaring: Zoë Veness
Metalsmith Zoë Veness describes her Wayfaring Vessel series as “an evolving series of lidded containers that are hand-fabricated from brass, copper and sterling silver”. Presented as part of the Wayfaring exhibition alongside the sculptural works of Bella Dower, Sara Lindsay and Sarah Stubbs, the vessel series is an opportunity for Veness to connect with and better understand her environment .
Using a variety of earthly brown, black and bronze tones, Veness vividly captures the nearby landscape of New South Wales’ South Coast, which was being “ravaged” by fires as this series came to fruition. As Veness reflects on her Wayfaring Vessel series, she remarks that each vessel “is likened to a footstep that slowly shifts my practice towards a greater understanding of how to connect with a sense of time and place via objects.” Each vessel allows us to witness the direct influence the environment as it infiltrates Veness’s practice.
With an ongoing passion for the refinement of craftsmanship, Veness’s series for Wayfaring are reflective of the artist’s acute attention to detail and intimate understanding of the medium. Like many contemporary craft practitioners, this pursuit of excellence is a major driver for Veness’s practice in bothsimple and complex ways, as the artist explains:“for the simple and ongoing challenge of making things well, of executing the perfect solder join, of finding the ideal balance between form, surface texture and utility, and of seeking simplicity through the alchemical complexity of metalsmithing”.
Although visitors cannot physically visit the gallery, the exhibition can be enjoyed online on the Craft ACT website and social media platforms. A beautiful online catalogue features essays, artist reflections and biographies, photographs and a complete list of works. Most of the works in the exhibition are available for purchase, and artist interviews and video tours simulate the gallery experience.
Wayfaring is now showing online at craftact.org.au