Studio Payoka

Rory Dax Paton, Adam Ismail and William Leggett shared insights into the industrial, multidisciplinary arts undertaken at Studio Payoka in the Perth Hills. Presenting two and three dimensional works demonstrating their prowess with constructed objects, experimental print and painting techniques.

OPEN SUN 7 OCT 11AM - 3PM, WED TO FRI 10AM – 5PM

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Revisiting the Midland Railway Workshop’s significant contribution to the social and economic fabric of the Eastern region, works from the City of Swan Art Collection by Penny Coss and Nigel Hewitt were displayed alongside contemporary photographic works by Eva Fernandez. Historians Jude Carr and Lisa Buck presented historical photographs, oral histories and rail objects in juxtaposition to Futures Lab’s interactive digital railway pattern 3D printing installation. Capturing the aesthetic of the workshop patterns and reinterpreting local social history this exhibition brought together a blend of approaches and eras to ignite new discoveries.

OPEN SUN 7 OCT 11AM - 2PM, WED TO FRI 10AM – 5PM

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Part of the What, a Tool Project 

Curated by Jude van der Merwe

Olga Cironis, Geoffrey Drake-Brockman, Kevin Draper, Stuart Elliott, Sarah Elson, Dawn Gamblen, Phil Gamblen, Peter Hill, Angela McHarrie, Denise Pepper, Monique Tippett and Tony Windberg reflected on the tools they employ in their arts practice and reminded us that, as makers and thinkers, tools are an essential part of an artist’s life. Works presented encapsulated the conventional and the technological to the metaphorical, with a number of artists drawn to concepts of an earlier history and tradition.

View the exhibition press release > 

Listen to curator Jude van der Merwe discuss the exhibition on RTRFM >

View the exhibition online >

View the exhibition catalogue >

To celebrate the cross-community project What A Tool, come and be a part of an action-packed Open Day full of fun activities the whole family will enjoy.

Midland Junction Arts Centre will be abuzz with live music, food, demonstrations and workshops for people of all ages to ‘drop in’, have a go and soak up the community atmosphere.

Exploring the many uses and applications of various ‘tools’, book in for a formal workshop or simply come along on the day and have a go. Watch artists transform the mundane to the magical using industry specific tools and explore how far technology has taken us with new tools you (may have) never seen

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Brace yourself for a day of action, invention, creativity and history when Mundaring comes alive to the sound of hammers for the What a Tool Open Day.

Community groups, artists and businesses from across WA have come together to showcase the ‘tools of their trades’ and invite the public to soak up the atmosphere and have a go!

The Mundaring Hall and surrounds will be bursting with community group and business displays, forging and artisan demonstrations, interactive art activities, food and locally crafted things to buy.

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Using up-cycled materials and found objects, artist and sculptor Neil Elliott will guide you through basic woodworking and metal working techniques to create your own unique sculpture. Working collectively and individually you will learn elements of sculpting whilst employing objects and tools brought from home to develop your technical skills. 

This workshop complements the cross-community What, A Tool? Project. 

Tuesday 16 October and Wednesday 17 October | 10am - 4pm | Suitable for 16+ years
$200 | $180 MAC Members

To celebrate all things 'tool' related at the What, A Tool? Open Day at MJAC, try your hand at woodworking, and be inspired to create an artistic wooden sculpture of your choice.

This workshop has no set project and is completely participant directed - a perfect opportunity for creative thinkers to try their hand at new skills. Tracey Laird from Perth Kids Shed will demonstrate woodworking techniques and assist in the use of drills, hammers, saws, screw drivers and a variety of other tools for participants to make their own take home sculptural creation. A range of shapes, sizes and types of wood will be provided for participants to as well as extras embellishments to enhance their creations. A small class size of 8 ensures individualised attention, be sure to book to ensure your spot.

Come and celebrate all things 'tool' at the 'What, a Tool?' Open Day at MJAC. Using rock, paper and scissors as both the inspiration and instrument, join artist Monique Bosshard-Curby in this experimental printmaking workshop. Exploring the meaning and usage of these tools, you will develop ideas and print using only these common objects. Explore frottage, monoprint and drypoint/collograph techniques, and be inspired by the dual simplicity and complexity of ancient and modern day tools. Leave with a small series of unique prints.

To celebrate the all things 'tool' related at the What, A Tool? Open Day at MJAC, come and let your imagination run wild in this educational and easy-to-follow woodworking workshop with Tracey Laird from Perth Kids Shed.

Participants will use hammers, screwdrivers, drills and saws to create robot beings from wood scraps and various other materials. With a small class size of 8, this workshop is a perfect opportunity to introduce participants to the basics of woodworking, while ensuring individualised support.

Visit the What, A Tool Open Day in Mundaring and learn the art of carving and casting to create your own wearable treasure. The remains of the magnificent cephalopod - the Cuttlefish provides a soft carve-able surface that will receive the heat of molten metal. Join artist Sarah Elson as she shares her passion for metal working and helps you see the potential for creating unique forms from the humble remains that she has collected at C.Y. O'Connor beach. You will design, carve and pour your very own wearable sculpture in this session.

Learn the "tools of the trade" with renowned WA silversmith and jeweller Bethamy Linton. Create your own unique pair of textured and embellished earrings whilst learning roll-printing metal, cutting and assembling techniques.

FOR THE AVON DESCENT FESTIVAL

Join us in the Mundaring Arts Centre Tent and help artist Si Hummerston to celebrate this annual white water river event by creating a life-size Zodiac boat using cane. Learn how to construct a large scale 3D structure using tools and joining techniques to tape, tie, cut and wire the ‘inflatable’ boat together.

This collaborative community sculpture is a free activity ongoing throughout the day at this year's Avon Descent Festival. Fantastic fun for the whole family!