A festive season inspired by art and nature

Discover a new artistic collaboration at International Towers

This year's festive installation at International Towers, curated by Arts-Matter, brings together acclaimed Arrernte artist Alfred Lowe and botanical artist Ben Avery of Colourblind Studio in a captivating celebration of art, nature, culture and connection.

Spanning International Towers 2 and 3 and International House, the exhibition centres on seven sculptural ceramic works by Lowe, whose expressive, hand-built forms explore themes of Country, identity, community and the complexities of human experience. In response, Avery has created an immersive botanical world that draws inspiration from the layered landscapes of Central Australia, the textures of tree bark and Japanese shingle architecture. Through earthy tones, organic forms and sculptural arrangements, his botanical interventions complement Lowe's vibrant ceramics, creating a harmonious dialogue between art and nature.

Together, the artists transform the spaces into environments of beauty, discovery and wonder, offering a contemporary interpretation of the festive season that extends beyond traditional decoration. The contrast between Lowe's rugged clay vessels and Avery's delicate botanical compositions celebrates the richness of the natural world and the power of creative collaboration. At its heart, the installation is a celebration of togetherness, generosity and shared experience, inviting visitors to pause, reflect and connect with art in unexpected ways. Through this unique collaboration, both artists have reimagined the festive season as an opportunity to bring people together through creativity, cultural storytelling and moments of joy.

Alfed Lowe 
Alfred Lowe is an Arrernte artist from Snake Well, north of Alice Springs, and one of Australia’s most exciting contemporary ceramicists. Working from the APY Studio in Adelaide, Lowe creates striking, large-scale sculptural forms that explore Country, cultural identity and the landscapes of Central Australia. His practice combines organic, hand-built forms with intricate surface textures and mark-making, drawing on his deep connection to Country and his experiences growing up in Alice Springs.

Lowe’s artistic influences began early, watching renowned Aboriginal artist Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri paint from over his neighbour’s fence and spending much of his childhood at the Araluen Arts and Cultural Precinct. Since beginning his ceramics practice in 2021, Lowe has experienced a remarkable rise, attracting international curatorial and collector attention. His accolades include winning the 2025 Rigg Prize at the National Gallery of Victoria, being named a finalist in the 2025 Ramsay Art Prize, and receiving the 2024 MA Financial Emerging Artist Prize. In 2026, he presented an ambitious new body of work at Sydney Contemporary, further cementing his position as a leading emerging voice in Australian contemporary art.

Alfred Lowe's Sculptures
For this year’s festive season, acclaimed Arrernte artist Alfred Lowe, from Snake Well in the Central Desert north of Alice Springs, has created seven extraordinary ceramic sculptures exclusively for International Towers. Bringing together contemporary artistic expression, rich cultural storytelling and a joyful spirit of celebration, the works offer a vibrant and meaningful interpretation of the festive season.

Comprising a collection of medium and large-scale figurative vessels, the sculptures combine rugged, hand-built clay forms with delicate, soft raffia elements, creating a striking interplay of texture, movement and materiality. Drawing on Lowe's deep connection to Country and the landscapes of Central Australia, the works explore the complexities of human experience, while celebrating the enduring importance of community, culture and connection.

At a time of year centred on togetherness, generosity and reflection, Lowe's sculptures offer a meaningful expression of the festive spirit. Their playful forms and rich textures bring warmth, beauty and a sense of wonder to International Towers, inviting visitors to pause, engage and experience the joy of art.

More than a festive installation, the collection celebrates the power of First Nations creativity and contemporary Australian art to bring people together, spark conversation and create moments of shared joy and connection.

Colourblind Studio
Benjamin Avery, founder of Colourblind Studio, is a Sydney-based botanical and fine artist whose practice merges sculpture, floristry, and design into striking, architectural installations. Having honed his craft at London's Phillo and Sydney's Hermetica, Avery established Colourblind Studio in 2020, earning recognition for his unconventional approach to contemporary floral art.

Living with deuteranopia (red-green colour blindness), Avery creates through an intuitive exploration of form, texture, contrast, and spatial balance, transforming organic materials into sculptural works.

His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Dinosaur Designs, and Helen Kaminski, alongside major commissions for the David Jones, George Jensen and the MCA annual art gala.

Colourblind Studio's Bontanical Installations
Created as a botanical accompaniment to First Nations artist Alfred Lowe’s sculptural works at International Towers, Ben Avery’s installation brings together two distinct artistic practices in a considered dialogue between art, architecture and nature.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese shingle roofing, the textures of tree bark and the layered geological formations of Central Australia’s mountain ranges, Avery has created an organic, sculptural landscape that complements Lowe’s work. Its restrained, earthy palette responds to the surrounding sandstone walls and neutral architectural finishes, allowing the vibrant colours of Lowe’s ceramics to take centre stage.

Together, the two artists’ works form a unique and cohesive installation, balancing colour, texture and form while celebrating the relationship between the natural and built environments.