by Bill Rathmell
The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions lifted in Sydney in time for SOAF 2021 to be held, complete with masks and vaccination checks at the National Art School on Saturday 6 November. The crowd seemed very happy to be seeing objects and art in the real – as opposed to in a digital format! It was a great success and I think the best Fair we have had, even if some vendors could not come from interstate. The atmosphere was really upbeat throughout, and the quality of the material culture on display was better than ever.
The COVID situation made the work of the SOAF sub-committee, led by Warwick Majcher, doubly difficult this year – not only because of the change in date, but because of the check-in and double vaccination regulations (interpreted for us by David Welch) and the complications caused by the increased use of EFTPOS, which gave our treasurer, Rita Uechtritz, a headache. But they were greatly helped by the fantastic support of the NAS Director, Steven Alderton, and his staff, notably Maz Johnstone.
A particularly heart-warming highlight was the lecture given by third year NAS student and Papua New Guinean, Lesley Wengembo, about his life as an artist and his experiences.
Chris Boylan reported that “Some vendors did better than at the last Fair, some not as well – but that is how it always works. On Saturday there seemed to have a constant turnover with visitors arriving, with the only downturn during Lesley’s lecture.”
Images: with thanks to Michelle Heywood, Warwick Majcher, Jeffrey Brock and Bill Rathmell.
