Louise Weaver, 2017. Photo: Angus Lee Forbes. Courtesy: the artist and Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie.

What compels a maker to create? Why this technique or material? Why that concept? How does the mind of a maker work?

Obsessed: Compelled to Make explores the stories of 14 Australian artists – stories that are simultaneously unique and yet contain the frustrations and highpoints of creative work that all of us can relate to, whether we are a professional artist, designer, craftsperson or hobbyist.

These makers have been chosen from across the spectrum of making – textiles, ceramics, furniture, metalwork, jewellery, conceptual art, glass blowing and sculptural weaving, including: Gabriella Bisetto, Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Honor Freeman, Jon Goulder, Kath Inglis, Laura McCusker, Elliat Rich and James B Young (Elbowrkshp), Kate Rohde, Oliver Smith, Vipoo Srivilasa, Tjunkaya Tapaya, Louise Weaver, and Liz Williamson.

The focus of this exhibition is not just on the works themselves but on what drives the making process itself. The exhibition seeks to highlight why making is important to us, how we make, what motivates us to make and why more of us are making than ever before.

Obsessed: Compelled to Make is an Australian Design Centre (ADC On Tour) national touring exhibition, presented with assistance from the Australian Government Visions of Australia program.

Opening Event: Friday 4 October 2019, 6–8pm.