This year we photographed our Kitly Christmas catalogue at home. I made some little Japanese-y nibbles using ingredients and utensils all from the shop and served everything on Kitly wares. Quite a little bit chaotic and solidly improvised. High wire! But very fun. And so beautifully shot on film by Karl. So here you can see many of the Kitly goods in action at a merry table. Good times, good friends and family, good food and drink. It's Christmas!
Photos by Karl.
Shot with a Nikon F3 35mm camera using Fuji 400 Superior film.
Click here
to be taken to the online catalogue of of the items featured in the shoot.
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Our 2019 Kitly Christmas Catalogue was art directed by Natalie Turnbull and photographed by Lillie Thompson.
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In August 2019 at the invitation of Heide Museum of Modern Art gallery shop, I installed a selection of artists represented by Mr Kitly in the Heide Museum store
]]>In August 2019 at the invitation of Heide Museum of Modern Art gallery shop, I installed a selection of artists represented by Mr Kitly in the Heide Museum store. Artists involved included Sharon Alpren, Tara Shackell, Pegs Marlow, Wingnut & Co, Elnaz Nourizadeh, and Sandra Bowkett.
The ceramics focus in the Heide gallery store was to coincide with the major contemporary ceramics exhibition at Heide, 'An Idea Needing to be Made'.
It was lovely to work with Heide staff on the in-store installation. Being a big fan of Heide and its contribution to Melbourne's art scene I was honoured to be asked to play a small role in their gallery store curation.
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In 2017 I again have the honour of curating four Showcases for Shepparton Art Museum. Below are the four artists whose work will be shown as part of SAM Showcase 2017.
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IMAGE: LEAH JACKSON. PHOTO: CHRISTIAN CAPURRO
IMAGE: ULRICA TRULSSON, CANISTERS AND BOTTLE, STONEWARE, PORCELLANEOUS STONEWARE, MATT GLAZES; TALLEST HEIGHT 23CM. EXHIBITED UTFORSKA, JAMFACTORY JULY 2015. PHOTO: GRANT HANCOCK © THE ARTIST.
IMAGE: KIRSTEN PERRY
IMAGE: SUSAN FROST, BLUE TO YELLOW YELLOW TO BLUE, 2014. PHOTO: MICHAEL HAINES
]]>Shepparton Art Museum is a leading light in ceramics in the country. An institution that does great things to support and extend awareness of ceramics within Australia. Thus I was honoured to be approached by SAM Curator Anna Briers to curate the SAM Showcase for 2016.
]]>Shepparton Art Museum is a leading light in ceramics in the country. An institution that does great things to support and extend awareness of ceramics within Australia. Thus I was honoured to be approached by SAM Senior Curator Anna Briers to curate the SAM Showcase for 2016.
http://www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/
Showcase 2016 presents four discrete exhibitions of new work by contemporary ceramicists in the glass display cabinet of SAM’s entry.
Curated in partnership with Bree Claffey of Melbourne based gallery and retailer Mr Kitly, Showcase provides a unique opportunity for collectors and craft lovers to acquire work as all pieces are available for purchase.
Showcase #9 Jessilla Rogers / Tessy M King
Saturday 6 February to Sunday 24 April, 2016
Showcase #10 Vanessa Lucas
Saturday 30 April to Sunday 24 July, 2016
Showcase #11 Bridget Bodenham
Saturday 30 July to Sunday 30 October, 2016
Showcase #12 Andrei Davidoff
Saturday 5 November to Sunday 29 January, 2017
top: Andrei Davidoff installation view (photo: Clare Plueckhahn)
above: Tessy M King installation view (photo: Tessy King)
below: Vanessa Lucas installation view
above: Bridget Bodenham installation view
]]>Emphasis was been placed on carefully crafted, handmade works, mindful of environmental impact. Each designer is closely involved in the making of their objects. All items are made to order, shifting away from creating objects en masse and towards fulfilling needs as they arise, even for larger audiences. This made-to-order model - where the number of items created is only what is necessary, and is limited to the need - is a model at odds with that of industrialised process which tends to make as many things as possible in the hope that they will be consumed.
The ‘for school’ products are priced to reflect their real value; the time, skill, care and cleverness that has gone into the making of each thing. It’s hoped this approach to valuing objects makes purchasing the product a considered process that in turn encourages a fuller appreciation of the object and its use.
We also made videos of two of the pieces in action.
The Wearable Bag by Many Many
and the Personal Desk by Groupwork (and stool by Ben Blakebrough and Pouches by Field Experiments)
One of my biggest projects for 2015 was the making of this book.
]]>One of my biggest projects for 2015 was the making of this book.
The publisher Thames and Hudson approached me to write a book about indoor plants in late 2013 and I said yes to be honest without really thinking through what a big project it would be.
After taking a few possible forms, the book ended up settling in to a look at life lived with plants through my (and therefore the Mr Kitly) lens. Since opening in 2010, houseplants have been a very important element to Mr Kitly.
My next step was to ask my friend and photographer Lauren Bamford to be part of the project and the book is graced with her photographs throughout.
I have realised the book (and Mr Kitly for that matter) is a result of over 20 years spent unconsciously accumulating an aesthetic influenced by my time lived in Japan & Melbourne. Curiosity about all kinds of things manifested itself in the book via essays written by insightful people on the social, creative and community dimensions of houseplants.
The book presented such a fine chance to visit proper and illuminate the lives and thoughts of so many wonderful people who I have gotten to know via Mr Kitly.
You can see it here.
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Mr Kitly artists teabowls lineup: shiko, Valerie Restarick, Jessilla Rogers, Zac Chalmers, Yoko Ozawa, Bridget Bodenham and Matthias Kaiser, along with tea bowls by Gooseneck Pottery and with kintsugi by Kate Hill.
Participants in the Tea Meet were limited to 12 to enable everyone to fully experience the ritual and ceremony.
You can read more about the event here on the MPavilion site. Much gratitude goes to the ever amazing artists who made the tea bowls for this event, to Yoshiko and friends at the Omote Senke Tea School Melbourne for their invaluable participation, and to the lovely Yoko Ozawa for beautiful flower arrangements.
All tea bowls are for sale and can be viewed and purchased online HERE.
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pictured: SHUH for MoMa River Derwent Heavy Metal Project, teatowel, cotton/linen
We have a really exciting start to 2014. Not least of which is an exciting collaboration with MONA gallery in Tasmania!
MONA approached Mr Kitly to help curate the Souvenir Tent at this year's MoMa (MONA Market). Working to the 2014 MoMa theme of The River Derwent Heavy Metals Project we have asked some of our favourite Mr Kitly artists (and we also invited some lovely creators from our friends at Dagmar Rousset) to create works especially for MONA. Dream project! All kicks off Saturday 18 Jan then runs every Saturday until 19 April on the MONA Lawns.
Mr Kitly artists
Anna Varendorff
Bridget Bodenham
Dell Stewart
ROWSAAN
Sandra Bowkett
Travis Blandford
Valerie Restarick
Dagmar artists
SHUH
Hamish Munro
These limited edition works are only available at MoMa so if you haven't already planned your MONA/MOFO/MoMa Tasmanian getaway, get to it:) More images of works coming soon.
www.momahobart.net.au
www.mona.net.au
#mkitly #mrkitlyforMONA #MoMa#thederwentriverheavymetalsproject
Anna Varendorff
image: Anna Varendorff for MoMa River Derwent Heavy Metal Project; MONA edition plant prop, brass hanger; brass
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Bridget Bodenham
image: Bridget Bodenham for MoMa River Derwent Heavy Metal Project, Mercury Collection, ceramic, platinum
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Dell Stewart
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Dell Stewart for MoMA Derwent Heavy Metals Project; Heavy Metal Pillowcase; Estuarine Creatures Pillowcase, Estuarine Creatures Scarf, Esturarine Creatures Kerchief; Cotton, Cotton Voile, Silk Cotton, Silver Ink
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ROWSAAN
image: ROWSAAN for MoMa River Derwent Heavy Metal Project, Kitchen Hook, Brass
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HAMISH MUNRO
Hamish Munro for MoMa Derwent Heavy Metals Project; Derwent Estuary Clip
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SANDRA BOWKETT
Sandra Bowkett for Derwent Heavy Metals Project; Porcelain Vessels; porcelain clay; manganese oxide, copper oxide
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SHUH
SHUH for MoMa River Derwent Heavy Metal Project; teatowel, carry bag, A5 print; cotton/linen/paper
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TRAVIS BLANDFORD
Travis Blandford for MoMa Derwent Heavy Metals Project; Trowel and DERWENT teaspoon; repurporsed copper
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VALERIE RESTARICK
image: Valerie Restarick for MoMa River Derwent Heavy Metal Project; Cadmium Fish, ceramic vessles; clay,
cadmium red acrylic
Mr Kitly teamed up with the amazing Dagmar Rousset and went to Sydney for a pop-up.
August 2013
We teamed up with the amazing Dagmar Rousset and went to Sydney for a pop-up. The tumblr kitlydagmar.tumblr has lots of the info on what we took and did.
Read more here. And see pictures of the opening here.
The Thousands asked us to do a mix tape to celebrate, it is here.
New Friends weavings made especially for the Pop-Up
Jessica Hans vase for the Pop-Up
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Urban Larder was a limited retail experience and event launch dinner party. Curated and produced by Sarah K in collaboration with Mr Kitly and Sarah Trotter of Hearth, Urban Larder was recreated as a pop up shop at designEX Melbourne selling furniture, tableware, tablewear, utensils, pot plants, vases and produce such as honey, chocolate, ale, sugar and salt.
Mr Kitly featured products included our wooden tableware, tin beer cups, gallery teacups, specially commission shiko x Mr Kitly white dinner plates, and plants. Our relationships with the artists we represent was integral to making this event a beautiful experience.
featured items: tin beer cups; shiko x mr kitly dinner plates; blakebrough + king cutting knives; CARA wooden tray
featured items: fog linen work trays; Yoko Ozawa tree vases
featured items: CARA wooden plates; Fog Linen Work trays
featured items: Fog Linen Work trays;Yoko Ozawa tree vases. at rear: Bridget Bodenham gallery teacups; CARA wooden tableware; tin beer cups; shiko x Mr Kitly dinner plates
featured items: Bridget Bodneham hanging planters; Mr Kitly indoor plants; Sandra Bowket matka and chai cups
featured items: Sandra Bowkett matka and chai cups; Mr Kitly plant stand
featured items: shiko x Mr Kitly dinner plates
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BOSTON FERN (buy online here)
HOW HUMID IS HUMID ENOUGH?
Some plants like a bit more humidity and the Boston Fern is one.
How to increase humidity:
A group of plants indoors will actually create their own little microclimate and slightly increase humidity, helping each other out. Another way to keep up humidity for plants that enjoy it is give them a mist spray every other day (avoid this for the temperamental maidenhair however) and a daily mist spray in super hot weather. Placing your plant on a bed of small pebbles and filling the tray with water up to half way up the pebbles will also create a humid microclimate for plants that love the humidity. Note: Never let the water go over the top of the pebbles; plants hate having their roots sit in water. You could also try popping horticultural charcoal in the pebbles to help keep the waterbed clean and refresh it if water stays there (ie doesn't evaporate/get soaked up by the plant over time) and starts to look a bit festy.
SEE THE LIGHT.
All plants need a certain degree of light to thrive. But this requirement varies plant to plant, Boston Ferns enjoy:
Indirect bright light - anywhere in a bright room with a North, East or West window, up to within a metre or 2 of the window. Always protect from any direct sun (eg behind a sheer curtain). Boston Fern will also enjoy being in a greenhouse or shadehouse in a protected area outside.
SOME FOOD AND A GOOD DRINK.
Boston Ferns need to be kept moist, so check the soil moisture regularly, watering up to once a day (even twice on really, really hot days) to ensure the soil is always moist. Just make sure the plant has good drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. In Winter the plant stops growing so you can allow it to dry out a little more between waterings so space out the waterings a bit more. Never let a fern's soil become bone dry.
Plants have a growth and a dormancy cycle. Mostly this follows the Spring/Summer growth and Autumn/Winter dormancy cycle. In the growth season feed your plant every 2-4 weeks with a dilution of Seasol (we sell this) or worm food by watering can or foliar spray with the brass mister. Boston Ferns prefer fertizilier suitable for acid-loving plants. When re-potting or top-dressing add in some worm casting or organic compost to give the soil a boost. In Autumn start to decrease feeding down to zero for Winter – plants need their rest to recuperate for the next growth cycle.
A FRESHEN UP AND GROWING BIG ONES
Plants work hard to keep our indoor air clean and pure, and so we should repay the favour by making sure their leaves are free from dust to enable them to breath easy. For the Boston Fern the best way to do this is pop it outside in the rain or in the shower for cold/tepid water spray every now and then. Boston Ferns can get quite big and if you want them to keep growing bigger they will need potting up every 1-2 years. Choose a pot the next size up, tease out the roots and backfill with new potting mix and some compost material for acid-loving plants. Water in well with a liquid seaweed solution.
GIVE US SOME AIR.
Most plants enjoy a bit of freshness in the air, like us, really. Try and make sure the situation you place them in has access to good ventilation. However keep in mind plants don't appreciate cold draughts, what you should be aiming for is a ‘bouyant’ atmosphere, not a cold draughty one.
KEEPING IT REGULAR.
You may have noticed that 70s magazines have an abundance of healthy and happy indoor plants. One of the reasons plants thrived indoors in this indoor plant golden age is I suspect more natural/gradual methods of heating and cooling, such as ceiling fans, open windows to catch the breeze and hydronic heating. Like most of us, indoor plants appreciate constancy and should be kept in as constant a temperature as possible. Keep them away from direct heat from radiant heaters, hot windows in Summer and freezing windows in Winter, and warm/cool blasts of air from vents or air conditioners, and avoid sudden extreme temperature changes like taking plants from outside to inside or vice versa– use a half way house like a shade house or somewhere protected to gradually accustom them to the change.
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MR KITLY opened a temporary Tea Room in December 2012 in one of the rooms of our Victorian-era shop space.
It opened weekends in December 2012 11am-4pm, and featured all vegan menu, pour over coffee from Market Lane and all handmade tableware by Mr Kitly artists.
Tea is integral to my day, and here I refer to my favourite advocate of the humble beverage, Dr Samuel Johnson, who described himself as:
“a hardened and shameless tea-drinker, who has, for twenty years, diluted his meals with only the infusion of this fascinating plant; whose kettle has scarcely time to cool; who with tea amuses the evening, with tea solaces the midnight, and, with tea, welcomes the morning.”
The Tea Room was imagined as a peaceful place (hence the choice for those who can't go without their daily coffee of pourover coffee rather than the faster paced and noise of espresso) where customers were welcome to sit a while, read the magazines, enjoy the sunbeams, and chat with friends. Tea I think need not be elevated to a science, its power for me lies in the everyday, and the solace and slowing down that comes with putting the kettle on to boil, and pouring a cuppa. It is not without reason that there is a tradition of when things are going wrong as life sometimes does, many people's first reaction is to offer a cup of tea.
Or as Ray Davies of The Kinks put it, For Christ Sake Have a Cuppa Tea.
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