Media Release

June 18 2015

                                OBJECTSPACE DIRECTOR TO LEAVE POSITION AFTER 11 YEARS

Objectspace director, Philip Clarke has announced his resignation after 11 years of heading the Ponsonby based craft and design gallery.

Philip said that after 11 exciting years at Objectspace it was a good time for him to move on to other ventures, which will include taking up a role as a trustee of the Blumhardt Foundation, the leading New Zealand applied arts and design foundation.

Ben Corban, chair of the Objectspace trust, said that as founding director of Objectspace, Philip had made a significant contribution to craft and design in New Zealand.

“Objectspace is the only public gallery in New Zealand dedicated to exhibiting of craft and design, and as the inaugural director Philip has played an pivotal role at both an organisational and sector level in promoting and positioning a wide range of New Zealand artists.”

Philip Clarke said “Objectspace’s publication programme is unique and we’ve produced well over 50 publications. I am very proud of the definitive Printing Types: NZ Type Design since 1870, the parallel English and Tongan text Nimamea'a: The fine arts of Tongan embroidery and crochet, the beautiful A Lace Life: the Alwynne Crowsen Collection and the mind-bending Just Hold Me: Aspects of NZ publication design.”

Objectspace was now an established part of the cultural landscape in New Zealand, he said.

 “With the contribution of many people Objectspace has moved from being just a good idea on paper to an institution whose reputation, nationally and internationally, far exceeds its resources. I am proud and privileged to have been part of making that happen.”

Philip will leave Objectspace in September and Objectspace is now recruiting to appoint his successor.

About Objectspace

Objectspace is a public gallery dedicated to exhibits of craft, applied arts and design. It presents an annual programme of curated exhibitions, events, publications and partnerships. Its current exhibition features jewellery by Areta Wilkinson, Whakapaipai – Jewellery of Pepeha. Pepeha are Maori customary of oral expression that embody cultural perspectives by locating individuals within the landscape and within whakapapa.

For more information please contact:

Philip Clarke Objectspace ph 09 376 6216/027 2577 216    Philip@objectspace.co.nz

For information about the Director’s position

Naiomi Murgatroyd 09 376 6216/ 022 316 7172 info@objectspace.org.nz

                                                                www.objectspace.com