Crafts Victoria ’75

A survey of contemporary crafts in Victoria, the most comprehensive ever mounted in the state, is held at the National Gallery of Victoria.

The exhibition, comprising 143 pieces by 97 craftsmen is part of Arts Victoria ’75 and is itself entitled Crafts Victoria ’75. Pieces to be exhibited were selected by a judging panel from 300 submitted from all parts of Victoria.

Craftsmen throughout the State were invited to participate in the survey by the Craft Association of Victoria and people of all ages and in far-flung parts of the State responded with works of an unusually high standard. Gallery authorities believe the exhibition has discovered some extremely talented craftsmen whose work was previously unknown. Many were present at the official opening.

Crafts on display include ceramics, weaving, jewellery, metalwork, macrame, woodwork, embroidery, leather, glass, batik, bookbinding, basketry, and handmade paper. Craftwork is the most rapidly expanding area of the arts in Australia.
Mrs Marjorie Johnson, project officer of the Craft Association of Victoria, said that an increasing number of people were turning to crafts as a way of creatively spending their leisure time.

‘In the past, craft has received little support as an art form,’ Mrs. Johnson said, ‘but now with greater involvement by the community this is changing’.

Crafts Victoria ’75 has been made possible with the assistance of the Crafts Board of the Australia Council and the Victorian Ministry for the Arts.

The exhibition toured 11 regional galleries throughout Victoria.

Source: Press release, 4 July 1975