Inaugural award celebrating innovation in craft and design

The Australian Design Centre has announced the winners of the inaugural Make Award, a new biennial prize for innovation in Australian craft and design.

Melbourne designer Vipoo Srivilasa was awarded the $35,000 first prize for his Diverse Dominion Deities - a collection of four "mythical creatures to serve as vessels for the deities."

The collection is made from mass produced ceramic animals sourced from the internet that are coated in industrial grade white spray with porcelain flowers attached using Blu-Tack, and topped with hand-made deities made from air-dried modelling clay.

"The Diverse Dominion Deities represent the strength, unity, and growth that come from embracing diversity," Srivilasa said in a statement. "Manifesting as a group of four entities, they represent cultural, racial, gender, and thinking diversity. I created the Diverse Dominion Deities to shed light on the fragility of diversity in Australia."

"Through the combination of various materials and techniques, I portray the diverse clay world: mass production symbolises commercial products, porcelain represents high art, and air-dry clay signifies hobbies. Cultural diversity is reflected in this amalgamation."

"My work underscores the importance of valuing and preserving cultural diversity while acknowledging the ongoing efforts required for harmonious coexistence," he continued.

"Vipoo Srivilasa is a serious artist who has truly developed over the recent years. His piece is complete in its the composition and stands out beyond all other works in the competition for innovation, creativity and the progression of his individual practice."

The $10,000 second prize was awarded to Adelaide designer Jessica Murtagh while Liz Williamson received a high commendation from the jury.

The Make Award is a new national award, an initiative of Australian Design Centre aimed at celebrating innovation in contemporary craft and design. The award is inspired by international awards programs such as the New York Museum of Arts and Design's Burke Prize, and the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize.

The inaugural award received 187 entries, of which 30 finalists were selected by the jury. Entries ranged from ceramics to glass, furniture, metal, jewellery, textiles and fibre.

The judges included Lisa Cahill (CEO and artistic director of Australian Design Centre), Hyeyoung Cho (chairperson of The Korea Association of Art and Design), Brian Parkes (CEO of JamFactory), and Jason Smith (director of Geelong Gallery).

"Australia has a wealth of creative talent and this new award aims to give an elevated platform to that talent, shining a spotlight on the energy and innovation in craft and design practice," Cahill said.

"There is no other award like it in Australia. There are discipline specific prizes but no major award that recognises creative practice across craft and design broadly. Designer makers are innovative, highly skilled, and very knowledgeable about material use. They are curious problem solvers who strive to creative beautiful objects that are functional, conceptual, and reflective of our times. They deserve to be recognized."