Arts / Design

MAKERS Lutruwita Ivett Dodd

When we bring an item made by the hands of others into our home, it is a new relationship. Inert or otherwise, it travels with us over many years, often decades, sometimes staying in a family for generations. It silently bears witness to the rich weave of our life.

Judith Abell
Image of a woman’s hands against a black background holding a delicate needle shaped white ceramic object.

About the project

In this age of generic design, cheap global production and short-lived and disposable fashion cycles, making objects by hand is an act of rebellion. People who choose this ‘slow’ bespoke path to making things are pushing back against the tide of mass consumerism and have an interesting story to tell.

Ivett Dodd is the driving force behind the MAKERS Lutruwita project. She is a photographer with a creative background in designing and making wearable objects. Ivett launched her first collection during Berlin Fashion week in 2011. Her label, Halasi, was recognised with multiple national and international awards and shown at fashion events in the United States, Germany, and Australia. Born in Kiskunhalas, Hungary, Ivett now lives and works in nipaluna / Hobart. Her label, ivimade, won a 2020 Design Tasmania Award. All creative practices shift and change. Later in 2020 Ivett pivoted and returned to her earlier interest in photography, with skills honed through classes at Feketeház Museum, Szeged, Hungary.

At a time when trends and brands reach all corners of the globe we often see rich cultural landscapes stripped bare of their distinctive character. The result is often more of the same. Ivett sees a different type of influence here in Lutruwita / Tasmania. And wondering why this is, and what makes the work of our creators so unique, Ivett decided to write a book and find out. This ambitious assignment takes her to the homes and studios of 24 makers across Lutruwita. Their diversity of cultural backgrounds, age, gender and chosen practice is deeply engaging. Through her instinctive photographs and conversations with each maker we are given the opportunity to explore questions about creative inspiration, nourishment and solace and the importance of place.

Black and white portrait image of Ivett Dodd with her head resting on her hand and holding her camera.
Image of furniture maker Ben Grieve-Johnson seated at a foot treadle hand-shaping a chair stay.
Image of a collection of six pieces of ocean-themed jewellery by Gabbee Stolp photographed against a background of sand.

Publication

OUTSIDE THE BOX / Earth Arts Rights has partnered with Ivett to publish MAKERS Lutruwita under our imprint ‘An Artist’s Own Book’.

This small format (170mm × 240mm [portrait]), bespoke publication will be hard case with 256 pages printed in full-colour throughout on a fully certified FSC uncoated paper stock. Each maker will be showcased in a dedicated section that includes an interview exploring their design practice and personal story, supported by an array of work and studio images. MAKERS Lutruwita will also feature an essay by multidisciplinary artist, designer and writer Judith Abell.

Pre-orders for MAKERS Lutruwita will open in September 2025 with delivery scheduled for November 2025. Profits from the book will support and promote Tasmanian designer/makers. The MAKERS Lutruwita project is supported by funding from Arts Tasmania and Creative Australia and the OUTSIDE THE BOX / Earth Arts Rights team.

THE MAKERS

Image of a woman’s hands building layers of linear sausage-shaped clay to create an artificial home for the endangered Tasmanian handfish.

Pre-Order
MAKERS
Lutruwita

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PRE-ORDERS: SEPTEMBER 2025
DELIVERY: NOVEMBER 2025

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Images by Ivett Dodd