Object’s 2015 Vision coincides with our upcoming 50th anniversary and is a reimagining of what kind of institution we will become and how we work in the future. It is also largely about securing a permanent home for Object that will allow us to be innovators in the way we engage with audiences. If you are unfamiliar with our 2015 Vision click here.

As we enter new and interesting times for the sector as a whole, Object has spent much time working with its passionate Board of Directors considering new models of operation that will work to support our ambitions for 2015.

One key change is the decision to suspend our current retail operation – Collect. This is certainly not a decision to stop retail activity; in fact it is what will enable us to become bigger and better at a potential retail venture in the future. The suspension of retail as we know it will provide us with the opportunity to explore and expand on new and innovative retail ideas.

Amongst Christmas party shenanigans and end of year celebrations, we at Object are working furiously in the last days before taking a break. Importantly we’re preparing for our exciting new exhibitions opening in late January and squeezing the most out of our current shows here at Object and around the country.

Thank you for all of your support in 2011 and best wishes for a stupendous, silly season.

p.s. If you’re looking for some last minute stocking fillers, Collect continues to offer free shipping to anyone around Australia, so jump online today. For the local in you, drop in and see us here at Surry Hills. Just mention the Summer in Sydney Campaign to get your 10% discount.

To celebrate the coming of Christmas (already!), and the fact that after some technical difficulties our online store is back up and running, we’ll ship all orders from Collect’s online store for free! But only for orders placed in November, and only in Australia.

Collect, which has a physical incarnation at Object Gallery in Surry Hills, stocks a range of finely crafted objects for life. By shopping at Collect you’re helping to support Australian makers and designers, allowing them to make a livelihood from their activities. Besides, it’s all beautiful stuff — something to make everyone very happy come the end of December.

To take advantage of the offer you just need to head over here and type ‘November’ in the discount code field before proceeding to the checkout. Get ahead on your Christmas shopping and get some gifts that everyone will be happy with!

I have a love for insects, they are beautiful and tiny and even though they roam around almost unnoticed, they are a big part of the environment and help out with the general maintenance of the earth.

Ants and bees are amongst my favourite, little hardworkers who make our life very pleasurable too, with pollination and honey.

In my ant-obsessed world I started making and drawing ants a little while ago, so when I discovered Sandra Bowkett, a Victorian-based artist who works with porcelain and creates these little marvels, my day for a little ray of light brighter. Her porcelain and ceramics range is made up of a bunch of different images that remind you of every day life. Porcelain brooches of insects and of course including ants. I confess that when I discovered them I gave in and got myself a double ant and a bee. The bee came in just yesterday and I jumped at it before we even put it out with the rest of her display (sorry, it was love at first sight!).

If you’re in Sydney, pop into Collect for some lovely insects and crochet – I guarantee you’ll love them!

Benja Harney’s Paper Creations

We are very lucky to be able to bring you an incredible show currently showing in Object’s Project Space. In connection with Sydney Design Week, Benja Harney, a well known and highly respected paper artist, brings to life objects that one might find in their attic. You will find an old wooden rocking horse, much loved ice skates, a discarded umbrella, piles of dusty books and even a mouse hole in the wall, all of which is intricately made out of paper. This exhibition allows viewers to marvel at Benja’s incredible talents for all things paper and reflect on their own personal hidden treasures they might have tucked away in the attic or under the stairs.

These objects have a certain nostalgia about then in their uncanny realistic nature. It feels almost as if you have stumbled upon them in their uncanny realistic nature. It feels almost as if you have stumbled upon hidden away treasures that bring back childhood memories.