Concrete Playground

Sydney is full of strange lace. Wrought-iron lacework drips from balconies and gates around the city, reminding us of foreign design fashions long past. The Powerhouse has always had an interest in lace too, but as part of Sydney Design they're bringing their interest to the fore. Love Lace is an exhibition drawn together around the theme, made up of finalists and winners of the Powerhouse Museum International Lace Award.

From a laser-cut cardboard web, to a scarred lorry, to the more traditional cloth work, the award takes a broad view of what can be considered lacy; the Museum is even about to wrap its brick courtyard in a canopy of lace pillars, as part of its new renovation program. Alongside the show, the Museum is hosting professional masterclasses and a symposium. And if the exhibition itself doesn't satisfy your appetite for intricate looped needlework, lace from the age of Shakespeare on up is at their Lace Study Centre, where you can check out the older brethren of this year's competition winners, or even have a go at making some yourself.

Image by boccalatte.