VWA Artists in Residence Update September 2026
As the year moves quickly towards its final months, we’re delighted to share an update from our Artists in Residence and reflect on what they have been creating since Melbourne Design Week.
Margot Feast
Since Melbourne Design Week and the interest generated by my curved table lamp, I have been focused on refining its production, learning about electrics, and designing a stable base. To address the time-intensive nature of making the lamp, I decided to produce a small batch of five.
For the carving process, I have been exploring a range of techniques, from traditional hand chisels to the ever-expanding range of Arbortech power-carving tools. Another focus has been on engineering the lamp so that the electrics could be added after the carving process and if necessary, altered in the future.
The final design challenge for the lamp was the base. As the original design did not incorporate one, it was a significant challenge to create a base that felt integral to the lamp rather than an afterthought. After filling a sketchbook with ideas and making around six different prototypes, I settled on a 2.5 mm brass base. The design met the key requirement of providing stability while also adding an aesthetic quality that complements the grace and beauty of the lamp itself.
I used the Wood Review maker of the year competition as a deadline to finalise both the lamp’s design and its production. It worked. The finished lamp can be viewed in the Art & Object category. Here
Follow Margot on Instagram here.
Caleb Biffanti
The past few months in the workshop could be defined by a meandering, curious rhythm – moving between ideas, following tangents, and letting the work evolve, or naturally fall off.
While that means progress has not seemed substantial, I’ve planted some seeds for some upcoming work, exhibited as a finalist at VIVID and wrestled through the surprisingly complex logistics of custom crating and shipping (who knew!).
Participating in Melbourne Design Week was a highlight and great creative and productive push. It made visible all the time and energy being sown into this residency and a great reminder of why the long hours tucked away in a windowless basement workshop are worth it. Thank you again to those who were able to make it.
Follow Caleb on Instagram here.
Emily McRae
Some MDW Highlight: What I really enjoyed was the opportunity to open up the workshop, welcome my friends to the space and introduce them to my woodworking community.
Following MDW, I shifted back to a project that I began working on earlier in the year. I am making a tool chest (using plans from Fine Woodworking) with a focus on traditional draw making which is something that I have never done before.
I am enjoying working with hand tools and am quickly gaining an appreciation of the time and precision required to execute the drawers. While I don’t think handmade drawers are a great business move or money maker, I’m hoping that this exercise will develop skills that will make me a better craftsmen. Currently half the drawers have been made and I hope by the end of the year the cabinet will be complete!
Follow Emily on Instagram here.
Freddy Mata
After the success and feedback I got from the MDW, I was looking for something to step up my body of work Grainchromie. So I have started my journey in power carving to expand the Grainchromie universe.
Jumping from flat surfaces and compound angle cuts on end grain panels, to more organic/curved shapes where the challenge is not in the carving and preparation of surfaces but in applying the colours. I need to rest my wrist and forearm levelled with the face being coloured to keep the pulse steady (I guess I cannot be a surgeon) and keep the colour within the rings on the Oregon end grain.
In this defining point of my work I use a mix of hardwoods and Oregon where the denser timber gets carved as part of the pieces but they are the base/back for the Oregon bits that contain the colours.
Now feels like I got myself to a realm of endless possibilities that eventually will take me to the Mitsubishi Factory in Japan where the Posca pens are fabricated, I mean one have to dream big hey!
Follow Freddy on Instagram here.
We also wanted to share some updates about Wanda, who finished her residency last month and moved back to her home in New Zealand. Wanda is a prolific artist and very much missed by everyone, and we loved hearing what she’s been up to recently. As expected, there is plenty happening.
Wanda Gillespie
It’s been a busy few weeks as I wound down my carving classes and workshop space at the VWA and moved to Auckland. I was fortunate to be awarded a Jackie Winter gardens artist residency on the week before flying out, which was a wonderful rest amidst the chaos of moving.
The space was very thoughtfully designed with plenty of art and design books for inspiration. I spent my time drawing plans for various projects including creating a mystical alphabet, designing waterfall inspired abacus sculptures based on local waterfalls, and making a poster of the chronology of my abacus sculpture designs from 2015 – 2025. Much of this is unfinished work in progress at this stage. I’ve been very sad to leave the residency and the wonderful VWA community however I have been blessed to have a couple of upcoming exhibitions to come back for and stay connected.
In November I will be exhibiting a solo exhibition called the Weight of Beingat Linden New Art Gallery in their project space. The official opening is Saturday November 21st from 1-3 pm and everyone is warmly invited.
I’ve also been fortunate to be awarded a City of Melbourne grant for an exhibition at the Meat Market in August next year. I intend to create more Newtons cradles and a suite of relief carved works. Stay tuned for updates.
Follow Wanda on Instagram here.
Our Artists will be presenting their work in December for their End of Year presentation. This time it will take place at the VWA workshop, in their own spaces, so this is promising to be very engaging and we are looking forward to hearing from them. You can already register in the link below.