What's on in April 2024

From groovy chairs and kettles to an exhibition of emerging First Nations artists, we've rounded up a series of events to inspire you this month.

Ten MPavilion Chair Commissions have been generously donated to the Powerhouse Collection by MPavilion and are now on display at Powerhouse Castle Hill in New South Wales. The brief requested emerging and established designers to create seating that responds to and references the form and massing of each annual MPavilion Architectural Commission.

Eight emerging First Nations artists who have participated in a year-long mentorship program will present new works in an exhibition titled My Country. The Country Road and NGV First Nations Commissions program is a national, biennial mentorship program and exhibition series that invites an artist from every Australian state and territory to produce a significant new work under the guidance of an esteemed mentor. The mentor provides assistance over the course of a year through the concept, creation and delivery stages of the work. A range of works across diverse mediums will be presented including: a woven rug display and an installation of sixteen diamond-shaped glass shields suspended in the air and a work featuring.

Tasmanian-based designer Sean O'Connell presents his Kettles exhibition at the Australian Design Centre in Sydney, featuring handcrafted kettles that are both functional and beautiful. O'Connell, a jewellery maker and metal worker, has transformed the everyday home appliance into a sculptural piece. Each kettle has been individually formed and welded by hand using stainless steel sheets, then delicately filed, sanded and polished. The exhibition demonstrates how a commonplace household item can be reimagined into something artisanal and visually interesting. It also highlights the design process involved in crafting an object not just for aesthetics but for functional use within the home.