A collection of art and design works from Western Australia will make the journey to Florence later this month to represent the state at Italy’s biggest craft show, the Tuscan International Handicrafts Fair.
A collection of art and design works from Western Australia will make the journey to Florence later this month to represent the state at Italy’s biggest craft show, the Tuscan International Handicrafts Fair.
Glass, ceramics, wood, jewellery and textile pieces from 19 artists, including Kevin Gordon, Gary Bennett, Lucy Bromell and Alan and Troy Linney from Linney’s Jewellers, will be on display and for sale.
The Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR) organised the trip after an invitation was extended last year by Tuscan president Claudio Martini. DoIR director general Jim Limerick said the fair provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the state’s creativity and to strengthen economic and cultural ties with Tuscany.
“The Tuscan-WA link provides significant opportunities in the exchange of knowledge, techniques, business development and cultural interests,” he said.
“We already have links between our olive oil industries and our furniture industries, and our aim is to build on these relationships and diversify our commercial interests.”
WA’s display will include ceramics, textiles, glass, fine furniture and jewellery, with Broome pearls, Argyle diamonds and Kalgoorlie gold featured.
Alan Linney said Tuscany was a centre of artistic flair and was steeped in tradition.
“This is an opportunity for us to show our traditions and culture,” he told WA Business News.
“We will be showing about 40 pieces, which includes pearls, argyle diamonds and rare pink diamonds.
“We will sell the scent of WA and give them a taste of some of our raw materials.”
Mr Linney said participation in an event of this kind could have spin-off benefits for WA, including in tourism.
“It is all about tourism. We need to get them here first and then they will shop,” he said. “This initiative is a great step in establishing relationships and networking.”
DoIR general business and trade services deputy director, Gary Stokes, said the fair would give WA exposure to key buyers, distributors, media and the public.
“In addition, creative industries generate positive flow-on effects for other sectors such as tourism, hospitality, museums, galleries and mining,” he said.
Artist Kevin Gordon said he was excited about travelling to Italy with his six-piece display.
He described his work as “abstract, interpreting the landscape and unique light of WA in patterned vessels that employ optical effects to beguile and delight the eye”.
Mr Gordon said he had spent the past few years exhibiting his works internationally, including in Hong Kong, where he will visit after the fair in Florence.
The Tuscan International Handicrafts Fair will be run from April 22 to May 1. A memorandum of understanding between the State Government and Tuscany was signed in June 1999.
