1) Tell us a little bit about your label (art) and what you do?
Eggpicnic is a Chilean-Australian design duo based in Sydney founded by Camila De Gregorio and Christopher Macaluso. Our universally relatable design aesthetic creates a bridge to communicate complex, socially-conscious ideas and stories through handmade art-toys, objects and illustrations.
Our work has been celebrated internationally and has resulted in collaborations with art-toy producer Momiji, toy designer Lunartik Jones, the highly respected The School of Life, among others.
2) What inspires your work?
Our inspiration comes from daily conversations and from situations we feel should be addressed. For example, our spectacled bear was born from a conversation we had about Paddington Bear. Chris told me he was from Peru and I didn’t believe him because I’m from Chile and I had never heard of any bear that lived in South America. So we looked him up and it was true. That same day I called my family and friends on Skype to ask them if they knew because I thought it was outrageous that I wasn’t aware of this and nobody knew about him. I found it very shocking that no one had ever brought this up and that it wasn’t something that they taught you in school.
When we started researching we met Imarú Lameda, a researcher of the specie in Venezuela, who guided us through the information and the status of the Jukumari. This way we found out that there were only 3000 left in the wild, considered vulnerable according to the International Union of Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. This is why we created our first paper toy, the Jukumari, and he was the main piece of our first exhibition.
3) What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
We are both designers and teach graphic and industrial design at UNSW and UTS. We are also founding members of Amazon Watch Allies.
www.amazonwatchallies.org
4) What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Travelling to Guadalajara as speakers of Design Fest 2013, the biggest design festival in Mexico. We had the amazing opportunity to open the festival, share our experience with thousands of people and meet incredible designers from different fields.
5) One thing you can’t live without?
Food.
6) What gets you up in the morning?
Knowing we are working for ourselves.
7) How would your best friend describe you in 3 words?
Bread and butter.
8) What is the next skill you want to learn?
To be expert birdwatchers.
9) What is your dream project?
To travel the world and work with skilled people.
10) Favourite or most inspirational place in Sydney?
The Royal National Park.
11) What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Never forget why you started.
12) What advice would you give to new, aspiring Makers?
Get things done.
13) And most importantly, what would your ultimate karaoke song be?
September –Earth, Wind & Fire
Find out more about Eggpicnic:
http://eggpicnic.com/