Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor
The exhibition ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor: 100 Women, 100 Brooches, 100 Stories’ was developed to celebrate the 2011 centenary of International Women’s Day. It features 100 stories of great Australian women who have broken the barriers in arts, sciences, humanities and sports, and 100 brooches made in response to these stories by 100 of Australia’s most talented women jewellers.
With a mix of amazing, enthralling and entertaining tales of women aviators, explorers, activists, spies and artists and 100 extraordinary pieces of jewellery, ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’ has represented an engaging way to acknowledge the achievements of Australian women. As well as showcasing a brilliant retrospective of three decades of contemporary Australian jewellery, it has generated pride for the milestones set by the women of the past and provide inspiration for the women of the future.
Stories have a universal appeal and the ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’ tour included a fabulous full colour catalogue featuring 100 entertaining biographies written especially for this publication. The stories document the achievements of extraordinary Australian women such as Nancy Wake, code-named the ‘White Mouse’ by the Gestapo, and one of the most decorated women of World War Two; Shirley Strickland, Olympic gold medalist, nuclear physicist and environmental campaigner; Deborah Hackett a Tantalite mining entrepreneur and Alice Anderson, motor mechanic and businesswoman.
After a successful exhibition at artisan Brisbane, ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’ toured Australia between February 2012 and April 2014 – around 500 viewing days. With the Visions Touring funding artisan was able to schedule and support this comprehensive tour, sending the exhibition long distances across Australia. The participants represented the cream of three-plus generations of Australian women jewellers. With 100 participants, ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’ was one of the largest contemporary jewellery exhibitions to date in Australia. It offered an unprecedented opportunity to survey aesthetic, technical and conceptual developments in the field. This was illustrated not only by the exhibition, but by the detailed catalogue imagery and the written text furnished within.
Artisan was able to furnish venues with extensive media opportunities/support via print, digital materials, publicist and graphic design, education kit and offer targeted public programs. Touring agency Museums and Gallery Services QLD was engaged to manage the tour. Artisan was able to fund an installer from our curatorial staff to travel to each venue to both install and give curator talks.
Itinerary:
2012
Jam Factory SA, 23 Feb – 5 April
Grafton Regional Gallery NSW, 13 April – 20 May
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery NSW, 8 June – 22 July
Bunbury Regional Gallery WA, 10 Aug – 22 Sept
Geraldton Regional Gallery WA, 5 Oct – 9 Dec
2013
Logan Art Gallery QLD, 9 Jan – 16 Feb
Toowoomba Regional Gallery QLD, 28 Feb – 28 March
Rockhampton Regional Gallery QLD, 12 April – 19 May
Gosford Regional Gallery NSW, 25 May – 21 July
Tamworth Regional Gallery NSW, 7 Sept – 19 Oct
Hurstville City M&G NSW, 26 Oct – 15 Dec
2014
La Trobe Regional Gallery NSW, 8 Feb – 6 April
‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor: 100 Women, 100 Brooches, 100 Stories’ was a wonderful success, celebrating the achievements of 100 women by 100 artists in honour of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. Venues reported very positively on the content and design of the exhibition. The beautifully finished hardback catalogue leaves a lasting treasure of stories and stunning imagery of the individual pieces and the individual women.
“This exhibition was loved by the general public, who commented on the beauty of brooches, their fascination with the stories behind the artworks, and the comprehensible layout of the exhibition itself. The exhibition catalogue sold very well.” Tamworth Regional Gallery
Visitor comments books, media and anecdotal responses indicate a resounding pride and joy in the show:
“The exhibition was loved by the general public, who commented on the beauty of the brooches, their fascination with the stories behind the artworks, and the comprehensible layout of the exhibition itself.” Beautiful jewellery and very interesting accounts of the women”” Tamworth Regional Gallery
“This exhibition has assisted in demonstrating to the public what constitutes ‘art’, and the broad themes and objects that can be displayed within an art gallery. This exhibition complimented the Gallery’s growing reputation for providing a diverse array of exhibitions, but also with a particular focus on women’s interest.” Rockhampton Art Gallery
Profiles of the artists were raised whilst recognition of the women they chose to honour was solidified. The exhibition was hosted in style across a variety of regional and urban venues in many different fashions. The Jam factory in South Australia for example, hosted Federal Senator Penny Wong to open the exhibition and held a Women’s Symposium during the exhibition period. Public programs varied across the venues from jewellery for children, to silver smithing, artist’s talks and celebrations of international Women’s Day in conjunction with the show and attracted a diverse crowd to venues:
“‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’ was well received by the Rockhampton region. It provided an opportunity for RAG to form new partnerships with existing groups in the community – notably the Lapidary Club. Jewellery making is also taught at QLD Institute of TAFE and this exhibition provided the opportunity for students to view works by leading jewellery practitioners. Participation and learning amongst community groups was encouraged through visiting artists, who either gave a lecture to visitors, or conducted a practical workshop. These were well attended.” Rockhampton Art Gallery
Over the course of the tour:
– 11 brooches were purchased
– around 600 catalogues were sold – a lasting memento and testament to the women profiled and the women makers
– over 60,000 visitors are recorded seeing the exhibition over twelve venues over 2 years
– around 250 participants in public programs were recorded by reporting venues