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Australian Design Centre is proud to present this major solo exhibition The Story So Far with the artist Helen Britton.
Living Treasures: Masters of Australian Craft is a series of solo exhibitions honouring eminent Australian craftspeople, celebrating their mastery of skill, their achievements and the unique place they occupy in the national design culture. Helen Britton is the tenth artist to be honoured in
this long running series that began in 2005.
In The Story So Far, Helen Britton reflects on her early creative influences through a detailed photographic investigation of the house of her late Great Aunt and Godmother Kath Carr on the Clarence river (Ngunitiji, Yaegl Country).
Kath taught Helen how to paint on porcelain, make jewellery and create collages with pressed flowers or metal filings from the lathe in the shed. Kath’s house was full of wonders – shells, gemstones, driftwood, dried seaweed, fish – and when she died it was locked and left completely intact.
The exhibition features new work, jewellery, painting, installation, drawings and objects and the photographs of Kath's house. It also acknowledges the rich and complex world of country women, of a time of creative frugality that formed Helen's early experience of Australia, of lost possibility, and of a colonial past and present, still so deeply problematic.
See the exhibition. Attend the film screening. Take part in a conversation with the artist. Purchase a ticket to win a unique wearable artwork made by Helen and generously donated. Purchase the wondrous monograph published to coincide with Australian Design Centre ADC On Tour national touring exhibition.
Everyone is invited to join in the celebrations.
Film Screening 20 August, 6:15 pm
Opening Night 27 August, 6:00 pm
In Conversation 30 August 11:30 am
Exhibition Dates 28 August - 1 October 2025
Events
Film Screening: Hunter from Elsewhere
You're invited to a special fundraising screening of the documentary film Hunter from Elsewhere - a journey with Helen Britton, directed by filmmaker Elena Alvarez Lutz.
All proceeds from the evening will directly support Australian Design Centre's fundraising appeal.
WHEN: Wednesday 20 August 6:15 pm
WHERE: Bondi, Junction, Event Cinemas
TICKETS: $40 (includes a complimentary pre-film drink and a post-film Q&A with Julie Ewington and the artist Helen Britton).
Exhibition Launch Event
You're invited to the launch of this major exhibition Living Treasures Masters of Australian Craft, The Story So Far, Helen Britton.
The exhibition will be launched by special guest speaker Maud Page, Director of the Art Gallery of NSW.
We are also delighted to launch Ocean Inspired Porcelain, work by the artist Jo Victoria in Object Space in partnership with Regional Arts NSW and South East Arts.
WHEN: Wednesday 27 August 6:00 pm
FREE: Bookings essential
Win a unique artwork
Buy tickets to win this beautiful brooch made by Helen Britton, Opal Insect, 2025, vintage opal mosaic, recycled stone, carnelian and recycled silver.
WHEN: Winner announced at the exhibition launch event on Wednesday 27 August.
TICKETS: $10 each
In Conversation: Helen Britton & Julie Ewington
Join Helen Britton in conversation with Sydney-based writer, curator and broadcaster, Julie Ewington.
This free talk will explore the exhibition, The Story So Far, and Helen Britton's multi-disciplinary making process.
WHEN: 30 August 11:30am
FREE: Bookings essential. Numbers limited.
Book: The Story So Far
The Story So Far is the first comprehensive overview of Helen Britton’s work designed by Alexandra Rusitschka and published by arnoldsche Art Publishers for Australian Design Centre’s Living Treasure: Masters of Australian Craft award.
The book covers over 40 years of Britton’s multidisciplinary practice and presents her extraordinary, often colourful and playful works. Alongside large-format images of her works and the photographic essay “My Godmother’s House”, are contributions by a range of authors including Lisa Cahill, Julie Ewington, Barbara Paris Gifford, Katie Scott, and Toni Greenbaum, the artist’s own texts, and excerpts from the collected writings of Ted Snell and Robert Cook.
This project has been funded by the Visions of Australia Program, an Australian Government Program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of Australian cultural material across Australia. Helen Britton was supported to produce her work for this exhibition with funding through Creative Australia.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Australian Design Centre is proud to be a creative place located on Gadigal Country. We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Owners, the Gadigal People, and to Elders past and present. As a cultural organisation with national connections, we also pay our respects to all First Peoples across the country.
About Australian Design Centre
Established in 1964, Australian Design Centre is an independent impact organisation based in Darlinghurst, Sydney. We support and promote Australia’s innovative designer makers, established and emerging, and encourage people to engage with design, craft and creativity through dynamic and high-quality national touring exhibitions, publishing, digital and educational activities.
ADC is supported by the generosity of our partners and donors, the Australian Government through the Visions Australia program, the NSW Government through Create NSW (until the end of 2025) and the City of Sydney.
ADC is a member of Australian Craft and Design Centres network, Australian Museum and Galleries Association, Arts Law, NAVA, Regional and Public Galleries NSW and the Sydney Culture Network.
Images:
Helen Britton, The Gathering. Photo: Eisel Dirk.
Helen Britton, Portrait. Photo: Eisel Dirk.
Helen Britton, The Stumps, 2016. Photo: Eisel Dirk.
Helen Britton, Opal Insect, 2025. Photo: COTA.
Helen Britton, Portait, 2024. Photo: COTA.
The Story So Far, Monograph, 2025. Photo: ADC.
