The Hive Gallery

14 July 2006
14-7-6

Hi Everyone

OOOps its been a little while since I updated you. Believe me I haven’t been slacking off. I’m got positively googly eyes from surfing the web each night for new and wonderful artists and designers.

Throughout June The Hive showcased Marie Lund’s beautiful Silver Gelatine Emulsion photographs on glass. Marie’s work is about illusion, about mystery, about dreams and hopes held within everyday life. She says “it is about the familiar and the exotic, everyday life is both play pokies online banal and mysterious and she tries to capture a sense of time passing, of loss and desire, a feeling of being transported into another realm.”

Marie says the subjects: Doors, Keyholes, Windows, Passageways, are all about time, about transformation from youth to old, before and after, past and future. They represent the border between conscious and unconscious, between inner and outer, difficult to cross, harder to return, forbidden to open or to look in.

I have included a photo, but one bad photo of good photos certainly doesn’t do them justice.

I went to Melbourne last weekend and discovered a wealth of talent. One of the newies is Lost in the Woods brooches intricately cut from two layers of perspex. Here is a little teaser of the bunny brooch.

New in store are stunning jewellery pieces by Mary Odorcic. Her pieces are elegant, whimsical and delicate. She uses semi precious stones, pearls and resin with embedded flora.

I also sponsored the annual Miss Braddon Gardens beauty pageant with a kitschy bouquet of fake roses for presentation at the crowning. This is an annual event organized by one of my customers Jane Christie and is a bit of a laugh. Everyone attending has to come as a “Miss…..” with the competition covering costume, speech and dance off. I love encouraging a fun time and good ole community spirit.Miss_braddon_gardens

Cheers

Jenny

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14 July 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)
13 May 2006
13-5-6 New to Hive/ Maiju Altpere-Woodhead showcase

Hi everyone

New to The Hive are a number of winter woolies. We have deconstructed and reconstructed ‘Cut It’ jumpers, the perfect jumper for the individualist. We have stunning scarves by Aly Peel made by piecing together recycled jumpers with Aly’s wonderful eye for colour. David Edmonds has just sent another batch of his organic shaped ceramic tableware in the fab colours of sage, berry and more classic ivory and charcoal.

I have just received new POPPiNS bags, one with a cute horse tapestry front and recycled belt handle. Renee aka Poppins is such a perfectionist with her construction of the bags. These will be the last of her bags as (no surprise to me) she has been accepted into costume and set design at NIDA. We at The Hive wish her all the best. We have also received more tumbled glass and pebble jewellery from talented jeweller, Rebecca Ward.

This month the Hive is showcasing work by Maiju Altpere-Woodhead.

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Her ceramic wall pieces, reminiscent of landscapes, are stunning and Maiju’s mastery of the ceramic medium and monoprinting is quite amazing.

Maiju explains the process and her work as follows:

“The method of ceramic mono-printing that I use combines elements of classical intaglio printing and monotype. This combination has allowed me to express both the constant change and unpredictability of memories as they move in and out of my consciousness, as well as involve the element of familiarity.

Instead of glass, metal or plastic plates and paper I use incised plaster slabs onto which liquid porcelain is cast to form thin ceramic sheets and lift the image. The combination of a painterly imagery superimposed with textured and defined graphic markings resulting from this mono-printing technique allows for the construction of complex yet undefined visual spaces with permeable layered depth. While the printed surfaces can be read as a reference to landscape or natural environment, the work on the whole is not intended as literal representation of any particular location. Rather, it is to act as a trigger for various abstract associations with natural phenomena and cultural expressions.”

Warm wishes to you all…Jenny

13 May 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)
13 April 2006
12-4-6 Charlie Sofo installations and new products in April

Hi everyone

April brings quite a few new products to The Hive. There are stunning new necklaces and bracelets by Alexandra Guest. They are chunky semi precious stones with quirky sterling silver touches, you’ll feel like a queen (or king if that’s your style).

New Tamba Toys arrived from Tamara Maguire. They are so cute and modern little fellas.

I am showcasing Charlie Sofo during this month. He graduated in Photomedia with Honours from the Canberra Art School (NITA) last year. I awarded him The Hive Emerging Artist Showcase Award because his way of thinking and seeing the world appeals to me.

Charlie Sofo loves capturing life’s curiosities, oddities and every day thoughts. He makes art in and out of the studio, sometimes utilising his kitchen, “if he’s not baking” he says. Charlie says his practice is inclusive of a wide range of materials, often centered on household objects. He works towards affirming a personal experience and exposing the process of making. Charlie often makes his work for particular spaces and involves the viewer in a specific way. For this exhibition at The Hive, he has several small installations based around domestic things and actions that might be common around the home; like lighting a match or watering a plant. Charlie says there is a particular focus on finding out where everyday action and artistic action intersect.

Charlie is currently in residence at Canberra Contemporary Art Space and graduate in residence at the Canberra School of Art.

Cheers…Jenny

L> R The Canberra Times 22/3/6 and The Bible, Rice- My Height , A Relationship, A pair of socks

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13 April 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)
06 March 2006
6/3/6 Serena’s Exhibition and FINK: new to Hive

Hi everyone

We have a beautiful exhibition on this month called “Serenas”. It consists of photographic images by Alejandro Rolandi taken underwater in natural light. They are haunting and sensual images of model, Lilly, photographed off the coast around Sydney. I am amazed at how serene Lilly looks even though she and Alejandro were diving just by holding their breaths. They must have good lungs…or maybe Lilly really is a mermaid.

The images are Giclee printed on a thick matte water colour paper and hand stained by Alejandro, giving them the mythical feel of captured images found in an old lost sea journal.

Alejandro made up the word Serenas, by combining Sirens and Serenity, because those words best described the sensations he was experiencing while observing the shots.

Alejandro says that “the water, and specially being underwater, triggers lost memories of our childhood, or perhaps even from when we were in our mother’s womb.”

Serenas is on until the end of the month, so don’t miss it.

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I am really pleased to have added FINK Design to The Hive. I went out to their factory today and was shown the labour intensive process of turning aluminium into their signature anodised pieces. They also have some wonderful new designs, Sean Booth’s Candelabra and Oliver Smith’s Fatware that Fink have designed and produced in collaboration with these local silversmiths.

What a great wedding present or corporate gift an item of FINK design would make. It should be in store in the next week.

See you @ The Hive

Cheers

Jenny

06 March 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)
09 February 2006
9/2/6 Lilian Widmeier exhibition and new Hive stock

Hi everyone

The Hive currently has an exhibition by Lilian Widmeier- see photos below. It is a beautiful show of finely crafted woven and knitted natural fibre vessels. It will continue until 24 February and so come and have a look. I love the fact they are miniature sized rather than the more conventional basket size.

Lilian is fascinated by the wealth of difference in the various plant fibres. This has made her highly experimental and curious to find ways to ‘tame’ and prepare dry and tough plants such as Gymea Lily, Cordyline and Muehlenbeckia or softer ones like Red Hot Poker, Ginger and corn husk (just to name a few). She says she learnt from trial and error and that each plant has to be treated differently. Some of the plant materials she grows her self, some are donated by friends or others like the corn husk, are specially prepared by the staff of her local greengrocers.

She loves her craft and that there are still plants for her to discover and work into weird and interesting shapes. She happily says “The sky is the limit!”

I am busy trying to source some new ranges for the Hive. I have already taken delivery of some fabulous felted cushions. They are designed by Jodie Fried of Sydney and hand embroidered by traditional Gujarati women artisans from remote desert communities in India.

I went to Sydney yesterday, to view as many jewellery exhibitions as I could fit in a day. They are showing at the moment to coincide with the annual JMGA conference. I also met and visited ceramicist David Edmonds in his studio, wearing his orange Rocs (I love him already!). He has over 30 years experience, he told me he sold his bicycle when he was 15 to buy his first kiln. He does the most divine ceramics- fabulous colours, rounded (pebble like) forms and very durable (microwave and dishwasher safe). I can’t wait to get them in! This leads me to the MUD range I’ve carried for many years. I’ve decided to clear it, to make way for David’s ceramics, and so have marked it down 30%….so be quick!!

I also have some new little novelty items in. A whole collectible gang of string dolls. I got them from USA. The company gets Industrial Design students in Thailand to create each design from one piece of string. There’s Sid the Punk, the mummy, the red devil and lover boy to name a few and they are really gorgeous.

Anyway that will do me tonight. Cheers Jenny

09 February 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0)
31 December 2005
Post Christmas

Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas catching up with friends and family and have the champagne on ice ready for the new year at midnight tonight.

The WAM night was extremely successful with crowds of customers going from gallery to gallery. The Hive had such a cram of people at one stage I think the only way to make it to Colin from Wandana wines at the back of the shop was to crowd surf. Steve and Greg kept the ambience alive with their latino influenced guitar playing. Gretta and I were kept on our toes as we really hadn’t expected the response to be so terrific. (see all the pics.)

Christmas was very busy trading and I slept well after Christmas day. I am now starting to follow up new products and artists I’ve wanted for 2006.

I also wanted to introduce you to Gretta and Ruby who help at The Hive (see pic.).

Gretta_and_ruby Gretta is studying Law but is also keen on making jewellery. Ruby is studying Film making and so of course is a real film buff.

All the best for 2006

Jenny

31 December 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
05 December 2005
WAM night and Christmas greetings

Hi everyone

Christmas is approaching at a rate of knots and The Hive is overflowing with Christmas gift ideas. Activity in The Hive is hotting up and so through December we have extended trading hours (see entry below) with several late nights for customers who find it difficult to come through the day.

A great night will be had with the first WAM night (stands for WINE ART MUSIC) on Thursday 15th December. This is a night where all the Braddon Art galleries have got together to open their doors until 8.30pm. Participating with The Hive will be Impressions on Paper Gallery, Helen Maxwell Gallery and Paintbox Fine Art. The Hive will have Colin Bates from Wandana Estate to tempt your palate with his wines and Steve and Greg playing flamenco guitar from about 6.30pm. So wander the circuit of Lonsdale Street and Mort Street to enjoy some great Art and enjoy your Christmas shopping.

The Hive will close for 2 weeks after the frenzied Christmas onset for a little siesta so we will emerge fully refreshed to bring you more great fabulous art craft and design in 2006.

Thankyou to all the fabulous artists who entrust me with your heart and souls, yes your artworks, that help bring a fabulous array of diversity and creativity to The Hive customers.

Cheers Jenny

May you all enjoy the festive season safely with lots of laughs and relaxation.

05 December 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
December 2005/ January 2006 Trading hours

OPENING HOURS DURING DECEMBER 2005 / JANUARY 2006

DECEMBER

MON 5TH 12 TO 4PM, 12TH 12 TO 5PM, 19TH 10 TO 5PM

TUES 6TH 10AM TO 5PM, 13TH ,20TH 10AM TO 6PM

WED 7TH 10AM TO 5PM, 14TH ,21TH 10AM TO 6PM

THURS 8TH 10AM TO 6PM, 15TH 10AM TO 8.30PM (WAM Wine art music shopping night with combined Braddon galleries) 22ND 10AM TO 6PM

FRI 9TH 10AM TO 6PM, 16TH , 23RD 10AM TO 8PM

SAT 10TH, 17TH 10AM TO 5PM, 24TH 10AM TO 4PM

SUN 11TH, 18TH 11AM TO 4PM

CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY TILL MONDAY 9TH JANUARY 2006

JANUARY

RE-OPEN TUESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2006 WITH NORMAL TRADING HOURS.

CLOSED MONDAYS THROUGH JANUARY

05 December 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
21 October 2005
New to The Hive and Sharon Wessels showcase 20/10/5

Hi again

The Hive has been very busy with lots of new things in. BEADS, beads and more beads in all colours- so yummy you want to eat them!

There are two fantastic new ranges of textiles. Oiko is designed in Sydney and is a very organic range of cushions, table runners and bags made of printed hemp. Third Drawer Down is a wonderful range of collectable linen teatowels, table runners and napkins. Abi Crompton from Third Drawer Down sources well known artists to design a limited printed run onto the linen. Each is beautifully packaged, signed and numbered by the artist with information on the artists work. A great gift to send overseas.

We have beautifully worked angels by Dosvidas. They are made from air-dried clay, so items can be attached as they dry that usually wouldn’t survive the high temperatures of a kiln. They have beautifully embroidered silk wings and tiny flowers as hair. All seem deep in thought.

We are presently showcasing the work of Sharon Wessels, a ceramicist from Melbourne. She has worked in minature for her exhibition at The Hive. The work is made out of Southern Ice porcelain. The work is made out of southern ice porcelain and is wheel thrown using chopsticks to form the tiniest cylinders. The cobalt blue and white installations reference city blocks and cityscape. Sharon is currently engrossed in Kisho Kurokawa, a renowned Japanese architect and the philosophy of modern architecture and modern industry within Western thinking. This has led her to wrap some of the mini

installations in shrink wrap to give the notions of suffocation within these buildings.

I would also like to welcome Gretta who is now working at The Hive. She was previously an “obsessed about The Hive” customer and so she is great to have on board. Amanda has left to concentrate on her studies and Kate has gone on a 6 months scholarship to Japan.

Cheers – Jenny

21 October 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
06 September 2005
Showcase exhibition- Rebecca Ward 6/9/5

Hi everyone

It’s been a while. The back exhibition space has re-opened with a wonderful 5 metre glass showcase to display different artists and designers work. The first artist to be showcased is Rebecca Ward, a jeweller from Queensland. Her work features glass, tiny pebbles and sterling silver and is stunning. Rebecca completed undergraduate study in the Gold and Silversmithing program at Queensland College of Art in 1992. Her glass work will be featured with other international jewellers in a group show, “Wearing Glass”, at Oxotower in London in October. Rebecca says, “I look for the unexpected when selecting and combining materials in my jewellery. I collect pebbles from remote beaches in New Zealand, fragments of glass from old seaside resort areas and am always on the lookout for vintage found objects to recycle into new works. I am drawn to small objects that have their own histories and convey a sense of place and time. My work investigates themes of lost times, environment, and journeys”.

Also featured in the showcase is Canberra glass artist, Lene Lunde’s blown glass “stone cushions” that are so sensuous to touch. Also some fantastic resin jewellery by Michelle Kliger from W.A.

L > R Showcase, Showcase in exhibition space, close-up of Rebecca Ward jewellery in showcase

06 September 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
26 July 2005
Renovations 26/7/5

Hi everyone

News to date is that I have been renovating the back exhibition room over the past 2 months. First the wall was knocked out and a big steel support beam put in. This was needed so we wouldn’t get an unexpected visit from Steve, the guy who has the office directly above The Hive. Paul the builder had to knock out one red Canberra brick at a time, as they were covered in thick, hard render. I managed to close the shop for just 2 days and in that time I had to move and cover all the stock in the shop and then be the barrow girl for Paul and Anthony breaking down the wall. Exhausting and dusty work but the space looks fantastic opened up. Last weekend Paul started building the new 5 metre long glass showcase. It is going to be amazing.

Exhibitions won’t be happening in the same way as they used to. The space will still be an exhibiting space for Australian artists and designers but The Hive will now showcase a number of artists at one time. Works will still range from ceramics, jewellery, small sculpture and small artworks, textiles, glass and wood. I have a number of artists lined up and can reveal two of them- a new product launch by Cloth fabric and ceramics by Sharon Wessels in mid October.

I’ll keep you posted when the space re-opens.

Cheers

Jenny

26 July 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
01 July 2005
Hive Girls-1/7/5

Hi everyone

You’ve seen The Hive and now I thought I would introduce you to my wonderful helpers. Kate works on weekends and is studying Printmedia at the Canberra school of Art. She is off to Japan in September on a scholarship to study. We’ll miss her!!! Amanda completed her honors degree in ceramics at the Canberra Art School a few years ago. She is currently studying Art History. She works a couple of days a week.Hive_girls I also have Linda “the emergency girl” who fills in very capably when needed. She went through Art school as well (but not quite so recently) and majored in ceramics. She works in schools and the community inspiring all things creative.

Cheers Jenny

L > R Kate, Jenny, Amanda

01 July 2005 | Permalink | Comments (1)
21 June 2005
Welcome 21/6/5

Hi everyone and welcome to The Hive’s new news page. I am very excited about this inclusion in the web site as I will be able to keep you regularly informed on new products, great new artists and designers in the Hive and general Jenny chit chat. For those of you who haven’t visited the Hive before, let me introduce myself. I am Jenny Shaw and I started The Hive 6 years ago in a office building once used as a staff room and offices but it was more like a small house (see Image2). We removed all the interior panelling and built shelves. We even used the kitchen sink for display. There was a small room in which I covered the floor with pebbles and the ceiling with white washed twigs and that became the Hive’s first exhibition space (image 1). The building was located next to The Old Bus Depot Markets in KingsP000809ton, Canberra.

Four years ago I moved to Braddon, Canberra City, as The Hive’s wonderful building was being demolished (see image 3) to make way for sparkly new buildings. The Hive also opened a second shop at that time upstairs at The Old Bus Depot Markets (see image 4 ). After 4 months I decided to concentrate on the Braddon location to consolidate resources and because it was all too crazy. Since that time The Hive has grown from strength to strength. It has become well known for it’s unique nature and individual products. It celebrates creativity in all its forms from beauty and form to humour and even a little bit of the ‘daggy’. I hope you enjoy The Hive and if you can’t make a visit in person at least you can visit regularly online- thanks to Zoe Freeman the designer.

Cheers Jenny

21 June 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)