ALPHA60 PROFILE: FIONA ABICARE
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming exhibition Nuts and Berries by Australian artist Fiona Abicare at Alpha60 Chapter House, where her latest body of work will be unveiled. This exciting new collection, spanning tableware, furniture, and sculpture, takes its inspiration from the Sydney School—an influential group of architects celebrated for their deep connection to the Australian landscape and a raw, minimalist approach to materials. With her signature multidisciplinary approach, Abicare reimagines everyday domestic forms through exceptional craftsmanship and collaborative partnerships. In Nuts and Berries, she pushes the boundaries of sculpture, fashion, and functional design, weaving together materiality, history, and desire in a way that speaks to contemporary life while honoring past legacies.
What is the central theme behind your upcoming exhibition at Alpha60 Chapter House, and how did it come to life?
Elements of Nuts and Berries first came to light after my project commission Rose Moon. There is a commonality or rather a coincidence with the symbolic references of roses and serpentine. Projects evolve through material research, for Alpha60 I’m developing sculptures of tableware forms, and associated garments.
Can you describe the creative process behind the works featured in the exhibition? Are there any specific materials or techniques that you’ve been exploring recently?
The project has afforded me an extended period of time in the studio, formulating my processes, a continuation of moulding, and form making. I have been conceptualising everyday objects as sculptural forms. I have been exploring materials such as cast glass, brass and silver, along with acrylic gypsum cement and natural mineral pigment.
How does the space at Alpha60 Chapter House influence the presentation of your work? Have you designed the exhibition specifically with this venue in mind?
Yes, I have specifically developed the project for Alpha60, every decision is alert to its potential in the context of Chapter House. The foundation form, a Serpentine twist table (an interpretation of a refractory table), along with the palate, the aesthetic symbolism, are sympathetically positioned to accompany Alpha60’s oeuvre.
What do you hope visitors take away from your exhibition?
I’m hoping to draw attention to the possibility of sculpture in the context of tableware.
Are there any personal or societal experiences that have deeply influenced the pieces you're showcasing in this exhibition? How do you see art as a medium for storytelling or reflection?
The aesthetic of Nuts and Berries offers a moment of shared experience across a day, around a table. Nuts and Berries is relevant because it’s so closely associated with domestic living.
If you had to describe your personal style in three words, what would they be, and how does that reflect in your artistic work?
Eccentric classism, obsession and imaginative perfectionism, are reflected in the work that I produce, specifically in the Alpha60 installation.
Nuts and Berries will officially launch at Alpha60 Chapter House on April 3rd, 2024. For more information about Fiona Abicare’s work, please contact Sarah Scout Presents. Exhibition sponsored by City of Melbourne.