FLARE: AN EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND WORK OF JENNIE TATE

BY AMELIA GROOM

When local multi-award winning set and costume designer Jennie Tate died of cancer at the end of last year she was in her prime. She’d finished designs that have dressed three productions since her passing: As You Like It, for Bell Shakespeare Company, (which opened at the Sydney Opera House earlier this year), Don Giovanni for Opera Australia and Madama Butterfly for Oz Opera (both of which are currently on). She had also been funded for a film and several other projects, and was about to finish her master’s of design at the College of Fine Arts, on myth/magic and design in Japan.

A collection of her costume sketches from the 1960’s up to her final projects is currently up at Sydney Theatre’s Warf Gallery, giving a snapshot of her stylish mastery. Accompanied by production photographs and tributes from people in the industry, there are more than more than 100 original designs, making evident that the woman could have had a stellar career in haute couture had she chosen it.

Flare
Until August 30
The Warf Gallery at Sydney Theatre Company
Pier 4, Hickson Road, Walsh Bay
9569 0341