a petite Curated project space to test out ideas , connect and share stories. a place for creativity, curiosity and kindness.
The Folk Experiment is nestled within the historic London House building in the tiny goldrush town of Talbot, on the unceded lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Together, with our wine bar and store, Fossickers Fine Food & Eatery, you will find a welcoming destination to relax, slow down and connect. We support the handmade, small-batch and sustainable artisans, producers, artists, designers and makers from this special region.
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upcoming exhibiTION
The Vessel:
Kaori Fujimoto
Minna Graham
Mel Odgen
23 August - 13 October 2024
The Vessel is the first exhibition to mark the opening of this new space for creativity.Three artists working and living on Djaara country in the Central Victorian goldfields; Kaori Fujimoto; Minna Graham & Mel Ogden will showcase their latest ceramic work.
The ceramic vessel has been a gateway to understanding ancient civilisations, their customs, rituals and culture. Through decoration, functionality, texture and form the vessel can be a humble mug to drink your daily coffee to a highly decorated urn, lining the hallways of grand palaces.
The vessel remains the muse of many contemporary ceramic artists with limitless interpretations on this ancient form. These artists explore and push the boundaries between sculpture and vessel, but it is the vessel form that encapsulates their expression of nature and the environment around them.
Kaori Fujimoto lives and works in Vaughan on Djarra country and was born in Japan. Her work is strongly influenced by the surrounding bush and land. With a cultural background in Japanese Shintoism, this great respect for nature is the inspiration for Kaoris’ forms and surface treatment. Her work is predominantly handbuilt with a minimum use of glaze. The unglazed surfaces change colour over the years, reflecting the processes of nature. “The pursuit of my work is to create the calmness one feels when surrounded by nature”.
Minna Graham grew up in the Snowy Mountains NSW, where she was immersed in a rich world full of nature and creativity. As a child any artistic endeavour was greatly encouraged which in turn instilled a need to create. Exploring Australia during early adulthood Minna observed life in the remote and harsh landscapes of Australia. Settling in Daylesford, Victoria, Minna enrolled in a Diploma of Ceramics at the University of Ballarat in 2009. Graduating in 2012, Minna was awarded the Brian McLellan Award for Outstanding Achievement and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2014. Minna continues to work from her studio as a ceramic artist with her work featuring in many collections. She exhibits regularly in galleries and stores worldwide.
Mel Ogden was born in Tokyo, Japan, and lived in Singapore, the United States and Taiwan, returning to live in Australia to attend University culminating in a Masters of Art, Sculpture (research) from RMIT and a Bachelor of Arts (Visual) from ANU.
Mel currently lives in South Bullarto where she works as an artist across landscape, sculpture and ceramics. Her recent exhibition ceramic work has been inspired by the Japanese tradition of Ikebana. Ikebana vessels and vases continue the sculptural practice of working with landscape forms and materials on a smaller scale.
Ikebana flower arranging is considered a collaborative process between the vessel/vase and the arrangement itself, so the aim is to make works that stand on their own merits as sculptural objects, while also providing unique forms that complement and support ikebana arrangements.
Mel also creates ceramic tableware objects for everyday enjoyment and was commissioned to create the tableware for Fossickers Fine Food & Eatery, our wine bar and store.