Willoughby Bequest 2020 Commissioning Program launches

The Powerhouse has launched the Willoughby Bequest 2020 Commissioning Program. Six artists who work across glass and ceramics have been commissioned to create a new work for the Powerhouse Museum’s collection.

The selected artists are: Scott Chaseling and Tim Edwards who work with blown-glass; ceramicist Steve Harrison; ceramic artist and the inaugural winner of The Design Files’ Design Awards Nicolette Johnson who makes stoneware vessels; glass artist and ACT Creative Arts Fellow Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello; and ceramic artist Renee So.

In 2017, the Powerhouse Museum received one of its most significant bequests from Barry John Willoughby. A passionate Sydney-based collector of decorative arts, Willoughby bequeathed objects from his private collection alongside funds for acquisition of works by Australian artists for the Powerhouse Museum’s collection.

“Barry fell in love with Australian studio glass when he saw his first exhibition at the Glass Artists Gallery in Glebe and from there became an avid collector of studio glass and ceramics. He was a friend and patron of the Powerhouse and delighted in seeing the museum’s collection grow. He had an unrivalled enthusiasm for new developments in Australian art glass and ceramics,” said Eva Czernis-Ryl, curator at Powerhouse Museum.

“The Powerhouse is grateful that this bequest has enabled the Museum to commission new works from six Australian artists working today in his honour,” said Lisa Havilah, Chief Executive, Powerhouse Museum.

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