Ara Dolatian – '"You are loved and protected' Neck Pieces, 2023

To celebrate Vessels, NGV design store and Craft have curated a small selection of participating artists to produce a limited-edition retail offering exclusive to NGV design store and Craft.

The neck pieces are handmade by the Melbourne artist Ara Dolatian, using clay glazes and oxides. The works are inspired by Myths and ideologies from the Mesopotamian civilization. The neck pieces reference the ‘evil eye’ which is a popular decorative element and superstitious belief in the Middle East and in Mediterranean countries.

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Ara received a Bachelor of Fine Art (sculpture) from RMIT University (2012) and a Master in Social Science Environment and Planning (2014). His interdisciplinary practice explores the relationships between cultural landscapes and the natural ecosystem. It conflates a number of ideas around the themes of the studio and laboratory and in turn social and environmental politics. Ara has exhibited nationally and internationally and has been involved with many projects supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, Creative Victoria, and City of Melbourne. Ara is represented by James Makin Gallery in Victoria and Scott Lawrie Gallery in New Zealand.

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Vessel Project

June 1- July 29

The Vessel Project is an exploration of the vessel en masse, as imagined by Melbourne’s most creative practitioners. The showcase continues the examination of modern amphorae in Jugs, and celebrates Craft's curatorial collaboration with the NGV for Vessels – now showing as part of Melbourne Now at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. 

Read about the exhibition.

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Photography: Henry Trumble