Selling Yarns 2

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Selling Yarns 2: Innovation for sustainability is a conference that addresses contemporary Indigenous craft and design practice. It draws on the outcomes of the first Selling Yarns conference held in Darwin in 2006 that looked specifically at contemporary Indigenous textile practice.

Selling Yarns 2 builds on the previous conference by presenting success stories that demonstrate innovation and new directions in Indigenous craft and design practice. It will highlight the work of Indigenous makers from the south eastern region of Australia and parallel the directions in practice of urban Indigenous makers with that of artists in remote communities. The conference will be held at the National Museum of Australia in March, 2009 in association with the exhibition Recoil, Change & Exchange in Coiled Fibre Art, curated by Margie West.

The aim of the conference is to demonstrate that through cultural practice a dialogue can be had that draws all interested parties together for the benefit of a rich and sustainable Indigenous culture.

A call for papers is now open.   Download the Call for papers information sheet

Topics of interest include:

• Design and manufacture, engaging with industry
• Innovation for social and cultural sustainability
• Mentoring between communities
• The impact of government policies on sustainability
• The internet and the global market for Indigenous craft and design
• Tourism and museums as a driver for innovative practice

Papers: We invite Indigenous and non-Indigenous practitioners, researchers, academics, buyers, collectors, curators, business and arts advisors to respond with a 300 word abstract addressing the conference themes.

Workshops: We invite proposals to run workshops to build skills, increase awareness and appreciation, share information and develop understandings of new developments and sustainable practices.

Email 300 word abstracts to papers [at] sellingyarns.com
For enquiries, contact Louise Hamby on (02) 6125 8986 or Andy Greenslade on 0412 774 343

Email workshop proposals to workshops [at] sellingyarns.com
For enquiries, contact Valerie Kirk on (02) 6125 5833 or Adam Blackshaw on (02) 6208 5230

• Deadline for abstracts and workshop proposals: 1 July, 2008
• Notification of acceptance: 1 August, 2008
• Deadline for biography (on acceptance): 1 September, 2008
• Deadline for full papers: 15 January, 2009

The Selling Yarns 2: Innovation for sustainability conference has been developed by:

• The Australian National University Research School of Humanities
• The Australian National University School of Art
• Craft Australia
• National Museum of Australia