Chelsea Lemon DESIGN Canberra Festival Interview

Chelsea Lemon – Designer-in-Residence Guide to the 2018 DESIGN Canberra Festival

For the past 2 years, DESIGN Canberra has invited a local designer to create the look and feel for the festival. This year, Canberra based designer and maker known for her work with timber, Chelsea Lemon, has been selected to deliver a fresh approach and innovative flare to the festival in line with this year's theme of 'geometry'.

Chelsea graduated from the Australian National University's School of Art with Honours in a Bachelor of Visual Arts, majoring in Furniture Design in 2015. She received the 2014 Designcraft: Craft+ Design People's Choice Award for her Triangulation Chair and has exhibited her furniture at Parliament House.

Designer-in-Residence Festival Guide 2018

What a better way to kick off the Design Canberra Festival by joining us at the Festival Opening Party and Auction Night at the Monaro Mall. Thirteen local designers and makers, including myself, have been invited to create limited edition works which will go to auction on the night – this is your chance to purchase a unique handcrafted item! You will also be able to indulge in local wines, food and music while being surrounded in a buzzing creative atmosphere. Tickets can be purchased on the festival's website, and there is an early bird price before the 5th of October, so be quick!

After the opening night, the festival has only just begun! There are a range of events that will run across the month of November, but a personal favourite of mine are the Living Room events that take place each weekend throughout the festival. It is a fantastic opportunity to step inside a range of architectural homes across Canberra, whilst immersing yourself in local handcrafted objects and homewares which are available for purchase. Often the home owners, architects, and designers are at the events to meet and ask any questions. There are homes open on the North and South of Canberra, however this year I highly recommend attending one of the Taglietti open homes – a unique opportunity to step into the interior of Enrico Taglietti's architectural designs.

If you enjoy Taglietti's designs, then a visit to Craft ACT's exhibition 'The Void' is a must. Although the official opening night is on the 25th of October, the exhibition will run throughout the festival until December. The exhibition celebrates Enrico Taglietti's legacy and work within the Canberra region. Fifteen craft practitioners will showcase work that responds and reimagines Taglietti's architectural designs. A couple of my fellow local woodwork designers and makers, Elliot Bastianon and Thor Diesendorf, will have their creations on display, alongside a range of makers who work with different mediums.

Throughout the festival many designers will have their workshops and studios open to the public. I recommend taking a visit to KOITOYA, studio of Japanese woodworker Hiroshi Yamaguchi, open on Saturday the 17th of November. This year he will be running chopstick and spoon making workshops throughout the day – an excellent chance to not only meet Hiroshi and his studio but be involved in a hands-on activity with friends and family. You will also get the chance to use Japanese tools and learn traditional woodworking techniques.

If you are really wanting to jump into the making aspect of the festival, why not sign up to a range of workshops being held! There are a range of techniques and skills to be learnt, including a parquetry workshop which I will be holding at Craft ACT on Saturday the 10th of November. Or why not try you're your hand in ceramic building with Girl Nomad Ceramics, or origami construction with Anna Trundle.

For more events see the full festival program can be here!

Interview with Chelsea Lemon

Question: What are you most excited to see at DESIGN Canberra Festival?

Chelsea Lemon: I'm looking forward to an exhibition 'The Void' which displays works created by a variety of design who have re-imagined the work of Enrico Taglietti.


Question: Can you tell us about your role as Designer-in-Residence?

Chelsea Lemon: As part of the 2018 Design Canberra Festival Designer Residency, I have been able to develop new work for promotional material, along with sponsor gifts for the opening party which will host an auction of locally designed work. It has been an amazing opportunity which has led to meeting new people within the design industry and be involved in the festival once again.


Question: What inspired your passion for furniture design?

Chelsea Lemon: I have always loved to draw and paint, which is often known to be two dimensional. But I also love to build objects, and the aspect of functionality interested me - so I merged the two to create decorative furniture pieces. I haven't known a time in my life when I wasn't making and creating, it has always been a part of me.


Question: Where do you find inspiration for design? How does your love of nature influence your furniture?

Chelsea Lemon: I find inspiration within plants, often native Australian plants. Whenever I walk amongst bushland I will be on the lookout for plant forms which capture my eye with intriguing patterns and textures. I take these back to my studio (or photographs) and sketch them into new forms.


Question: What's your earliest memory of working to make wooden furniture?
Chelsea Lemon: During my time at school. I was lucky to be taught by amazing teachers who pushed me to discover new methods within furniture making and ways of thinking creatively.


Question: What has been your biggest career highlight, to date?

Chelsea Lemon: I have been lucky to undertake a variety of residencies within different workshops across the ACT and NSW, which I have been extremely grateful for. I have made many connections and seen new ways of working. Also, probably exhibiting at Parliament House of Australia - mainly as it is surrounded by the most amazing parquetry and marquetry work and is an iconic building within Canberra.


Question: What advice do you have for aspiring craftswomen?

Chelsea Lemon: You have to stick at it, it is hard work and can seem slow to start yourself in the industry. But continue to make connections within the design community and believe in your work.


Question: What's next, for you?

Chelsea Lemon: I am currently finishing off a couple of commissions, and then will start to make work for upcoming shows - and finish building my new studio!


Interview by Brooke Hunter