IOTA21 lead artists announced and festival program launched

Over 200 craft artists, designer-makers and artisans are making work for the first IOTA21, due to take place in Western Australia from September to November.

Down at the beach, next to the Indian Ocean, artists, makers, curators and exhibition partners gathered on Thursday 20 May 2021 – to celebrate the official launch of the first Indian Ocean Craft Triennial in Western Australia.

The 36 selected lead artists were named for the international exhibition at Fremantle Arts Centre and John Curtin Gallery, and a rich festival program of over 30 exhibitions and events in Western Australia, involving over 200 artists working in craft was launched online with a new IOTA21 website.

Curiosity and Rituals of the Everyday

Stories of our everyday rituals and contemporary preoccupations will be captured within the handmade, revealing the ubiquitous nature of craft in all our lives, past, present and future.

The wider community festival of IOTA21: Indian Ocean Craft Triennial is supported by Lotterywest.

City Beach, Perth. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Gerald Sanyangore, IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Duncan Ord, IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Chris Malcolm and Jane King (JCG), IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Spice Jars made by Perth Studio Potters for all the guests at the IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Bush Tucker morning tea, provided by Dale Tilbrook, IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell
Ceramic Cows by Uday Singh, IOTA21 Launch, 20 May 21, City of Perth Surf Lifesaving Club, City Beach. Photo: Rebecca Mansell

Where will the Triennial take place?

Perth and regional centres, Western Australia (WA)

How can I take part?

Artists have been selected and confirmed.

Participate by pre-purchasing a work to support an artisan to present his work at IOTA21.

Be a patron in the traditional ‘Medici’ sense by directly supporting a specific artist or group of artists from a specific country to make, pack and send their work to Perth for the exhibition. Donations of $2 and above are tax deductible in Australia. Due to the COVID-19 impact both materials and freight costs have increased dramatically. Livelihoods have been lost. Contact us about who most urgently needs support.

If you would like to volunteer please use the contact form.

Key Venue Partners

John Curtin Gallery and Fremantle Arts Centre

Opening Events*

  • Thursday 9 September: VIP preview, IOTA21 exhibition at John Curtin Gallery.
  • Friday 17 September: IOTA21 Opening Celebration, Fremantle Arts Centre.
  • 17-19 September: Futuring Craft Conference, Curtin University
  • Saturday 18 September (TBC): IOTA21 Fashion Event, Curtin University

*all dates are subject to change and subject to COVID-19 restrictions and government health advice.