On the Fringe
Words: Raf Nathan
September 13–30, 2018, Fringe Furniture 32. You have to go to this annual event if furniture is your thing, more so if woodwork is a passion. Not that this is a fine woodwork exhibition, at all.
It’s staged at the fantastic Abbotsford Convent which now operates as a loose conglomeration of studios, yoga rooms, galleries, clinics and cafes. Centrepiece of the convent is actually the community kitchen, a bustling hippy styled space with group tables with pay-by-donation patronage.
This year’s Fringe is on display in the arguably oversized gallery area and was a totally uncurated mix of student pieces, professional work, green gone mad as well as the almost sublime.
Fringe Furniture as a show has been an ongoing event for 32 years, an outstanding achievement. As a woodworker, who actually entered some 26 years ago, it’s an exciting and inspiring event. Yes some of the woodwork is appallingly made, some work is just totally off-line or absolutely useless, but like I said at the start, you have to go.
At a show like this you expect different. Prices varied from probably too cheap (say $500 for a very nice oak table) to reasonable. Far too many pieces were stickered with POA however, which I thought rather amateurish. Overall a great exhibition, but hurry, because it closes 30 September.
More information at melbournefringe.com.au/event/fringe-furniture-32
To get in touch and exhibit next year contact projects@melbournefringe.com.au