Industry: solo exhibition works by Isabel Avendano Hazbun
For her third solo exhibition titled ‘Industry’, Melbourne wood and textile artist Isabel Avendano Hazbun looks at the application of a circular economy within the realm of a small studio practice. In her words: “Industry is the practical outcome of a year’s study into sustainable ancient technologies long discarded in the name of ‘progress’ and which do not require any new infrastructure investments for their application, a considerable advantage for a small designer maker workshop.”
"Industry: A Circular Economy Model" is a collection of work that combines timber and recycled rubber to consider the finite nature of resources and how they can be better utilised. The exhibition runs from 24 October to 12 November, 2024 at Meat Market Stables, North Melbourne.
We asked Isabel about her practice and the ideas behind her work.
What’s your background as a designer maker?
I have a Bachelor of Design in textiles. I am a weaver. I also went to The Sturt School for Wood and so my practice mixes these two disciplines.
Where is your studio? Do you work alone?
I work alone but surrounded by creative friends that are constantly giving me great ideas. I have my textile studio at home but share a timber workshop with other woodworkers at the Victorian Woodworker’s Association workshop space in North Melbourne.
Is this your first solo exhibition? Are you the main organiser?
No, this is my third solo exhibition. The first was at Craft Victoria and the second at Australian Design Centre in Sydney and they were mostly textiles. The difference with this one is that it is completely self-funded. And yes, I am the main organiser and it equally represents both of my practices.
Can you describe the work you will present and the number of pieces?
There’s officially 12 main works in the exhibition, mostly furniture and lighting but also a few sculptures and some bowls. All the work is made from timber and rubber from recycled tyre inner tubes.
The idea was to create each piece considering its entire ecological impact. All the pieces made from timber are either made from off-cuts from larger works and/or they all disassemble into smaller components. They are held together using dry joinery, pressurised rubber inserts or simply by lashings with rubber rope. The sawdust from the manufacturing processes was collected and then processed to create a composite material.
Figuring out new ways of making knock-down furniture plus what to do with the sawdust was the most interesting part of this exercise. I feel that timber and textiles have a lot of similarities. I was able to dye the pulp using natural dyes and then mould it into shape to make cabinet legs, boxes, bricks and some small sculptures. Then there’s the textile component using recycled rubber which was made into rope that holds and protects some of the works and also woven into textiles. The works praise but also subvert an industrial aesthetic.
The exhibition also includes small samples for people to test and see, and small analogue machines used to make the work.
Isabel Avendano Hazbun, Wall Dimples
Were there any difficulties working with recycled wood, rubber and lighting?
I wouldn't say that it was difficult. It just took time to figure out how to use off-cuts to produce fine and considered work and time to understand the possibilities of what could be achieved working with recycled rubber from tyre inner tubes and this new composite material. With the lighting it was figuring out how to make knock-down lights using found fluorescent tubes.
Can you tell us a little about the year of research you undertook? Is this in conjunction with formal study?
The research is not in conjunction with formal studies, it was just curiosity and wanting to change production methods within my practice. Using waste has always been part of my textile practice and I wanted to make it a part of everything I do.
While at the timber workshop I noticed the amount of waste that we were producing and started to figure out ways to collect and use it. The research took me back in time to ancient technologies from old recipes for making paint and glue, rope making, bamboo scaffolding and paper making to the brutal history of material extraction, colonialism and capitalism. I think this research and this body of work is just the beginning of something.
What is the main thing you want to say with your work?
I think the solutions and outcomes of this research are very specific to me and my circumstances. Other people have different needs and responsibilities in life. But I think that what I want to say is that collective change is possible and that maybe we can stop feeding the beast that is capitalism, even with small gestures.
Photos: Matthew McQuiggan
Learn more about Isabel Avendano Hazbun @isabel_avendano_hazbun at www.isabel-avendano-hazbun.com