INTERVIEW
FOR CLOG, CRAFT VICTORIA
All the things to take to our very own archipelago, in the
window of Craft Victoria
Using paper as our primary medium, we make limited
edition artists' books, lithographic offset prints, zines and the like,
together, and have been doing so for many years now. Based in Melbourne,
we work from home, and we are often to be found up late tinkering on
some project.
Paper may be their primary medium, but these ladies sure are adept in
doing all that they do! To coincide with our latest enCOUNTER display,
this week CLOG looks at collaborative act Hammer and Daisy a.k.a. Gracia
Haby and Louise Jennison. You might recognise their work which is stocked
extensively in the shop, namely their bound journals and notebooks,
greeting cards, softies and little owl pin cushions. What you might
not know is that all these works are the created by the team effort
that is Gracia and Louise! Incredible.
Not only are these ladies talented, but eloquent as well. We'll stop
gabbing about how amazing Gracia and Louise are, and let them speak
for themselves. Happy reading!
Q:
The titles of your work are whimsical and carefully constructed. How
do you come up with them and is there a particular reason for this inclination?
A: Thank-you, we are rather chuffed you think so.
Titles, be they for an exhibition
or a particular collage seem to spring forth of their own accord. They
can be coaxed out of their hiding spot somewhere in the chambers of
the mind by the irresistible lure of a quiet room, an early morning
or a late night. They are less cooperative around midday and think only
of lunch at such times. Titles take shape whilst a work is being made.
A postcard collage, a collaborative collage piece or a folded sequence
in a concertina book, as one works titles leap forward and present themselves.
It is then a matter of quickly penning the sentence to paper before
it heads slightly, teasingly out of reach.
Titles are another area to play with, for us. Just as the two-dimensional
surface is a delight to use, so to is the space allocated for a string
of words with questionable punctuation. It also serves as an entry point
for some folk, but do be careful… there are many red herrings
lying about.
In the case of this display in the fine windows of Craft Victoria, the
title All the things to take to our very own archipelago (discover
more) came after the once-broken chair was sourced in Elwood
and before the black trunk was commandeered. Once we had title in place,
the final trimmings were sought. That said, we've neglected to include
a few things we might actually take with us. Whatever shall we do for
coffee and chocolate? We hope there are cocoa beans in ready supply.
Q:
Tell us a bit about your stint in Switzerland where you learnt the art
of bookbinding.
A: We learned several bookbinding techniques in Ascona,
Switzerland. In a delightful building near to a lake, at a quiet time
of year, we were introduced by Daniel E. Kelm to the various tools of
the trade. Prior to this we had little knowledge of a bone folder and
a means to ensure square covers. It really was a case of diving in blindfolded
and liking what we found. The exacting and beautiful techniques of those
working and studying there was impressive and inspiring. They were also
most welcoming.
Q: Do you have a preference for any one of the
many wonderful things that you make?
A: Initially, we’d have to say that our preference
is always for our artwork be it collaborative or our own work. Making
collages, watercolour drawings and tinkering on the page layout of an
artists' book side-by-side is what we love to do. However, thinking
about it some more, we like all the various things because they are
all the various things. Finding pearly buttons to use as eyes for an
owl pinnie, well, that is also fun. Toggling back and forth between
the two probably keeps us closer to sanity and of course, one feeds
into the other.
Q: What's
the best thing about doing what you do?
A: Hmm, so many things. Today, it is the flexible hours
that we can work and that we can, for the most part, work at home. Our
studio for it all is our entire house. Prints are editioned on a glass
cabinet in the middle room and every flat surface is put to use, even
the floor.
Q: ...and
the worst thing?
A: Working from home can sometimes have a few pitfalls.
Hand-in-hand with the good, it does mean that you never quite switch
off.
Q: And finally,
you're on your way to your very own archipelago and you can only bring
3 things. What would they be?
A: Only three, you say? Hmm, that shall be tough. We’d
want something for a caffeinated high (be it chocolate or coffee in
form… but, please, on second thoughts, don't give us the raw source
material, we're woeful in the kitchen). We'd want something to read
lest we’d go mad. And, we’d want sunscreen for we are pale
and indoorsy.
Clog,
Craft Victoria
Gracia
Haby
Or this?
Yes,
that's it.
2009
photographic
collages featured in Good evening, good evening. So nice of you
to come all this way zine
