Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art Australia – MCA Australia – is a vital space for living artists to reach the gallery-going public. The museum’s collection houses more than 4700 works (a third of which come from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists) representing the scope, talent and sheer imagination of contemporary artists from home and beyond.
If you’re hunting for some more creative gift options this holiday season, the good news is that the MCA Store is stocked with a carefully considered range of art books, homewares, fashion and gifts. With that in mind, we’ve strolled the MCA Store ourselves and added a few of our favourite, gift-worthy pieces to the list.
My Country silk scarf, $220
Artist Rosie Tarku King creates striking works that evoke the unique landscape of the Great Sandy Desert. This silk scarf conjures a whirl of desert wildflowers in a spectrum of vibrant tones. Made from 100 per cent silk satin and presented in a special gift box, Tarku King’s scarf is produced in collaboration with One of Twelve, an Australian organisation dedicated to empowering and showcasing the works of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Fink water jug, $495
Artist Robert Foster first produced this jug back in 1993, intending for the piece to be a limited release commemorating the opening of a new Canberra restaurant. Clearly, a limited run was never going to fly with the public and the Fink water jug quickly became an iconic piece of sculptural homeware, combining practical design (it’s all about the dripless pour) with fluid, eye-catching lines. This blush-coloured ombre edition is limited to just 50 pieces, each hand-finished, making it the perfect gift for the design enthusiast in your life.
Artist and Bidjigal woman Marilyn Russell maintains an artistic practice called shellwork, a skill which is traditionally passed down through generations of Bidjigal women– Russell herself was taught by her mother, Esme Timbery. These intricately detailed shell slippers aren’t for wearing. Instead, they’re works of art, and make a beautiful gift.
Julie Mehretu’s art stands alone. The Ethiopian American painter has created a world of her own through her large-scale explorations of abstract landscapes that deal with the deeper themes of contemporary society, politics and history. This hardcover book, published by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, offers a vibrantly detailed look at Mehretu’s practice across sketches, printmaking and painting, packing richly themed worlds into each abstract image.
MCA Membership, from $70
Sydney locals will know that the MCA is the gift that keeps on giving, with the museum constantly buzzing with new exhibitions, tours, talks, screenings and two new waterfront dining offerings: MCA Cafe at Tallawoladah and Canvas Restaurant. With its enviable harbourside spot, most people don’t need to look too hard for excuses to head along for the day and, with the gift of an MCA yearly membership, things might get even easier. The membership includes unlimited, free entry to MCA exhibitions, plus special members-only viewings and tours, lounge access, discounts at the MCA Store and reciprocal rights at other galleries across the country.
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