In response to the themes found in our current exhibition Less than 5 per cent: Athfield’s First Church of Christ Scientist, this presentation from Richard Fahey looks at craft practice within Aotearoa New Zealand.

Fahey’s examination starts with understanding the cultural ferment of the 1970s and the blustery conditions under which craft practice was situated at that time. It proceeds to contemplate the contemporary, how conditions have changed and whether this has been for the better. 

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Richard Fahey is a senior lecturer within the School of Creative Industries, Unitec, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. His research activity has largely focused on material culture within Aotearoa via the historical and institutional contexts of education, collection and exhibition. These activities take the form of writing, curating and active participation in the visual arts sector as a teacher, speaker, assessor and advocate. 

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The Ockham Lecture series is an annual programme of lectures and panel discussions across different themes that critically engage with craft, design and architecture. This programme is supported by Objectspace's Lead Partner Ockham Residential.