‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ was an exhibition that toured to 10 Australian and 11 New Zealand public galleries in 1979 and 1980. The touring exhibition comprised 221 objects of traditional Japanese packaging which extended from ceramics, wood and paper to woven fibre containers. At the conclusion of the tour, The Japan Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council donated the vast majority of the exhibition to the Ararat Gallery for its permanent collection. Combining the natural qualities of bamboo, paper and straw with delicate craftsmanship, these unique objects express Japanese aesthetics as applied through fibre crafts. In Japan, the qualities and traits of natural materials are exploited rather than hidden. The texture of straw, the septa of bamboo are not concealed but lovingly incorporated into the whole. In 1979 Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’ wrote: “In no way self-conscious or assertive, these wrappings have an artless and obedient air that greatly moves the modern viewer. They are whispered evidence of the Japanese ability to create beauty from the simplest products of nature. They also teach us that wisdom and feeling are especially important in packaging because these qualities, or the lack of them, are almost immediately apparent. What is the use of a package if it shows no feeling?” The descriptions of the featured objects were written by Hideyuki Oka, curator of ‘The Art of the Japanese Package’, 1979.Gift of the Japan-Australia Foundation and the Crafts Board of the Australia Council, 1981japanese art, japanese packaging, tsutsumi, gift giving

Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens.A prepossessing, large home constructed in the Arts and Crafts style. Located on the banks of the Yarra at 2 Young Street, Kew overlooking the factories of Richmond, the design of the house takes account of the gradient with the addition of a level below the front entrance. The elegant roof includes a number of projecting gables and dormers. The gables are typically half-timbered and rendered. In addition to the asymmetrically placed portico, there are at least two open verandas, supported by timber pillars and with roofs that reflect the overall pitch of the roof of the housereal estate photographs, 2 young street - kew

“My main aim is to develop a sense of understanding in the mystery of the human condition, both in the reality of life and the spirituality of death. My work uses figurative imagery, both painterly and sculptural in the ceramic medium.” (http://gallery.baag.com.au/?p=34)Giuseppe RANERI (1959- ) Born Italy Giuseppe Raneri completed a Bachelor of Arts in Ceramic Design in 1982, followed by a residency at the Meat Market Craft Centre before travelling extensively overseas. Upon his return to Australia he set up his own studio in Fitzroy from 1988-1997. His work includes colourful hand-painted tablewareCeramic candlestick with majolica decoration. ceramics, gippsland campus, giuseppi raneri, jan feder memorial ceramics collection