VWA End of Year Artists in Residence Update

Brandon Harrison

This year I have been busy with a suite of commissions for a local cafe in North Melbourne and a bakery in Brunswick East. I had my first group exhibitions with being a finalist for VIVID and also the Clarence Prize in Hobart.

Follow Brandon on instagram here.

Isabel Avendano

I have been working on a simple bench seat that is light weight so it can also be disassembled for transport.

Follow Isabel on instagram here.

Jess Humpston

Recently I have completed a coffee table consisting of a celery top pine base and travertine slab top. I tried to achieve visual lightness within the timber frame with shadow gaps and setbacks to play against the heaviness of the travertine top. The ‘L’ shaped legs and the additional rails help to support the weight whilst the stone top appears to float. 

Follow Jess on instagram here.

Alex Pontonio

I have been working on liturgical furnishings for the Sisters of the Good Samaritan who commissioned me as designer and maker for the chapel furniture in their newly constructed residential building for nuns. I have been working on a collection which includes a lectern, hymn board, water stand, tabernacle and altar. Embracing a light and contemporary aesthetic, I have focused on small details and a restrained design approach. The hand-carved, milk-painted detail on the lectern pays homage to the traditional French gimp necklace worn by the Good Samaritan sisters.

Follow Alex on instagram here.