Transformative Repair

Transformative Repair is an exhibition that brings together emerging and established Australian artists, designers and craftspeople to reinterpret broken objects, using innovative approaches to repair and reuse.

This presentation is the third and final public exhibition in the project, and the culmination of six years of research and development led by Dr Guy Keulemans (University of South Australia) and Dr Trent Jansen (University of NSW) in collaboration with JamFactory and the Australian Design Centre, supported by the Australian Research Council. Together with leading practitioners across disciplines, the project showcases how new models for the sustainable use of materials and products can establish new opportunities for consumers and collectors through the thoughtful repair of their broken things.

Alongside the exhibition is a discussion and book launch at BAR Cantina.

Speakers

Dr Guy Keulemans
Guy Keulemans is a designer and Enterprise Fellow at Adelaide University, researching repair, reuse, circular economy and materials for environmental sustainability. He exhibits internationally and has works in the permanent collections of the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of South Australia. Guy was named a Top 100 Game Changer in Design by Architectural Digest Italia in 2021, and his book Transformative Repair will be available from Uro Publications in May 2026.

Dr Trent Jansen
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at UNSW Art & Design, Sydney. Jansen uses Design Anthropology methods to embody important cultural narratives in three-dimensional forms, so that these objects might become repositories for the dissemination of significant, but often marginal stories. Jansen’s work echoes a dedication to the principles of Designing with Country, through long-term collaborative relationships with Indigenous Australian artists and designers. Jansen and his collaborators are represented by Wexler Gallery in the USA, Mint Gallery in the UK, Galleria Rossana Orlandi in Italy and Useful Objects in Australia, with several works acquired into the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.

Suzy Annetta
Suzy Annetta is the founder and publisher of Design Anthology, an independent media brand that has helped shape the conversation around contemporary design and architecture. A curator, editor and a recognised authority on design in the Asia Pacific region, Suzy has spent over a decade amplifying voices and crafting stories that reveal the nuance, depth and humanity behind creative work. Under her direction, Design Anthology has evolved beyond the printed page – into exhibitions, collaborations, events and live experiences that nurture community and spotlight underrepresented talent.