maker-wearer-viewer

Top Marks Two Thousand & Twelve.

2012-01-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy New Year!

Two Thousand and Twelve has arrived and it has brought all sorts of exciting changes with it. After two of the most amazing years at gaffa, the time has come for me to grip life by the shoulders and give it a damn good shake. You should know that it’s not you, it’s me, and I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have shown me over the last few years in my roll as Retail Manager at gaffa. I really have had the most incredible journey and met and worked with some of the most wonderful and inspiring people. But it is time for my adventures to take a different road, time for some silly escapades and time to conduct some ‘Zoe Brand’ focus groups. This is not "goodbye", rather a chance to get to know me in a different capacity outside of the loving gaffa community.

My last day at gaffa will be Friday the 27th of January, please join us for opening night and farewell drinks from 6-8pm at gaffa (281 Clarence St, Sydney, NSW)

What’s next for me?I will be working a few days a week at the amazing Studio 20.17 (http://studio2017.com.au/), as well one day a week volunteering at the Powerhouse Museum, I will also be pimping out (aka social coordinating) the JMGA (Jewellers and Metalsmiths Association of Australia - NSW). I'm excited about making some jewellery, writing some words and traveling to far away places. If you want to talk over beers about possible collaborations, projects, exhibitions, or the state of the Australian cricket team please feel free to drop me a line. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks again for all your support, it is going to be incredibly sad to leave my home at gaffa, but I am also excited for my next grand adventure.

All the best,

Zoe Brand

This and That.

2011-12-13T22:25:00.000-08:00

Zoe Brand - Neckpiece 2011

Materials: leftover exhibition flyers 'agda poster annual 2011', faux wood laminate and sterling silver.

THE CURIO @ Gaffa

2011-11-08T01:22:00.000-08:00

Just a selection from 'The Curio - A Collectors Cabinet' hall of fame at Sterling by gaffa

for the best.

2011-08-19T04:31:00.000-07:00

NEWS about JMGA Conference - Thanks to Contemporary Jewellers of Adelaide for posting the below on the old FaceBook

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After much consideration we have decided to postpone the 2012 JMGA Conference.

We had previously indicated we would hold it in 2012, as is expected of a biennial conference. This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We apologise for being a little slow in responding to requests for information, but we were hesitant to publish information until we had made some crucial decisions.

Most of you will be aware that Queensland has had its fair share of natural disasters this year. In Brisbane while most things are up and running, there is still a long way to go in terms of returning to 'normal'. The effect of such an event cannot be underestimated; many people are still without homes, and many businesses are yet to reopen. To put it simply, we’ve had to direct our attention and energies elsewhere in the short term. We are confident that scheduling for 2013 will allow us the time and space we need to organise an exciting and dynamic conference. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

What we can tell you now is that we are extremely pleased to have confirmed the title and theme, the venue and the dates.

Participation and Exchange valuing the participative community
JMGA CONFERENCE 2013
12-14 JULY 2013
State Library of Queensland.

We are pleased to confirm the State Library of Queensland as a sponsor and will be using their fabulous venue for the conference.

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oh so fresh.

2011-08-08T01:02:00.000-07:00

ok so my photoshopping skills aren't too crash hot, but yeah you get the idea.

I must admit it feels good to be making something new and FRESH!

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Some context perhaps?

So, my Grandmother was a hoarder. I don't think she ever got rid of anything. A little while ago we had to sort through her house, her life, and remove everything.

This was not a cathartic experience.

It was intense and emotional and still gives me panic attacks thinking about all the stuff we had to throw out, and not to mention all the stuff we kept. My mother and I have boxes of jewellery, fabric, buttons, paper punches, paper bags, books, fake leaves, single earrings, as well as furniture, crockery and heavy memories.

This is how I'm going to work through these feelings:

For my 21st Birthday my Grandmother gave me 21 gifts of jewellery.

For her 82nd birthday I would like to gift back 82 pieces of jewellery.

Constructed from all the items I have salvaged from her home,

or from items she had gifted me to me over the years.

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The above pieces have been made from paper bags.

Some bags still have their receipts in them, others I can only guess age/origin.

These bags are in pristine condition, having been piled up and stored for over 25 years.

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I hope this will be a cathartic experience.

making making.

2011-08-07T20:03:00.001-07:00

If you click on the images they get BIGGER and you can see WAY more detail.

unnatural and strange ACTS.

2011-08-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

So I got myself some new jewels! These beauties are by the lovely Melinda Young.

Lauren Simeoni and Melinda Young are the powerhouse behind unnatural, naturally. Recently they asked me to write a catalogue essay for their branch-off show unnatural Acts that opens in at Velvet Da Vinci (that's in the USA) tomorrow night! Woop Woop!!

Oh boy do I wish I was there!!!

Anyways my new jewels are payment for the essay - I love swapsies!

YAY.

oh and something strange has been happening. I've actually been making some jewellery. I know, crazy huh!! I'll post some images soon, I think you might like what i've been making. I'll give you a hint: It is CRICKET related. Surprised?? Didn't think so.

Also I'm going on a holiday! I'll be spending a week in Brisbane and a week in Melbourne. Woop Woop and I'm very excitedly doing the Benjamin Lignel workshop at RMIT. jealous?

If you want to hang out in either Brisbane (20th - 28th August) or Melbourne (29th August - 3rd September) let me know. I'm always up for a beer.

Cheers - Zoe

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UPDATE - Mel and Lauren have just put the catalogue essay up on their blog, so if you want to have a read - click here.

Welcome Home.

2011-06-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

After months of traveling about the land and NZ, the piece I bought from THE BOX PROJECT is finally around my neck. YAY for new Jewellery.

Piece by the fabulous Melissa Cameron. YAY.

Cheers - Z

jealous much? part 2.

2011-06-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

oh yes.

jealous much?

2011-06-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

Hand Shake Jewellery

a quiet afternoon.

2011-05-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

So I guess you're all still waiting on some awesome jewellery related posts that will knock your socks off and get you super excited about life, the universe and everything in it. Well, sorry. You're probably not going to find that here today. But if you are having a quiet afternoon and need some pick-me-up content, I suggest you follow your nose, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

- Bangable Dudes in History

- A Conversation on Cool

- Ham and Heroin

- The Urban Optimist

- The Same Five Questions

- The Burning House

Enjoy.

- Z

Like a Japanese cowboy!

2011-05-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

So it's a lovely autumn evening, I'm hanging out with my mateys Mr V and Miss Baker, curry, beer and love is just rolling on through the house. I have already hijacked Miss Bakers blog, and hence she has insisted that I should post here, because clearly I have been a bit slack of late. So here is a very non jewellery related post (execpt the fact that I'm hanging out with jewellers). Conversation has digressed, dear, I wish you were all here hanging out and talking troll dolls and shrinking Styrofoam with us.

next time.

- Z

*note to self.

2011-04-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

*REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE A BLOG!

you should probably update it more often.

yes. mum.

I wonder if anyone comes by here any more*.

Good people doing good things.

2011-03-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

link

Guest Post (Raewyn Walsh)

2011-02-24T17:41:00.000-08:00

Making

Still exploring my interest in the vessel as jewellery. Here I have raised a vessel from thin gauge copper and where it has split I have mended it with gold. Decided to use only the rim of the vessel because its function is not intended to hold liquid. Handles become device for cord to hang from. This is play time for me but I always find the marquette making part of the process quite interesting so thought I would share.

Wearing

A 10 minute necklace by Sharon Fitness that is quite hard to photograph. I am part of a jewellery group that gets together to talk jewel, organise shows, and engage in guerilla jewellery activity around town. (See more here.) To celebrate each others birthdays we drink lots of wine, lashings of tea, and and give jewellery that only takes 10 minutes to make and that uses the scraps from our workbenches. It was my birthday recently and this is what I got. Thanks Fitness!

Viewing (Reading)

The essays from European craft initiative, Think Tank. Every time they get together they have an essay and exhibition prepared around a theme. 'Speed' is the most interesting one. Masterworks Gallery here in Auckland has all the books for sale and recently hosted a floor talk by NZ potter/curator/writer Moyra Elliot who sat in on this years meeting. Great to read some critical craft discourse but it is Euro-centric and really highlights the need for more contemporary craft writers round these parts...

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Now, if you didn't already know, Raewyn is one part of the Amazing NZ Duo (Kristin D'Agostino being the other) who put together Touch Pause Engage . She is also one of my favorite people to talk jewellery with (yes we are self-professed geeks), sometimes I think I would want to climb inside her head, set up a hammock, grab a beer and just absorb her brain waves all day.

If you know what's good for you, you will head along to her website here.

Thanks a bunch Raewyn!!!

Cheers - Z

all about me. thanks.

2011-02-22T19:28:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Chloe Cooper (of Toy Balloon fame) from the Lighthouse Blog, that features interviews with some cool kids (like me. ha.) and general inspiration. Follow the link to read my interview. But you should really check out the other interviews on the blog as well (here & here). Nice one miss Cooper. Thanks a bunch.

I got TAK. Hurrah.

2011-02-21T16:52:00.000-08:00

Check it out. Look what arrived this morning. whooooo ha ha. excited? I think so. If you have no idea what i'm on about go here and here and that should give you a bit of an idea of what the fuss is all about. Isn't everything so much better when you have a new piece of jewellery?

I believe in low lights and trick mirrors.

2011-02-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

In the last few weeks I have met a whole bunch of exciting, inspiring, interesting and fresh new people. I've hung out with some of my favorite people on the planet in Auckland, I've had some of the best conversations I've had in years, and I'm starting to feel a little less unsettled. One might even say I feel a bit more balanced (how long this will last is anybodies guess).

On two separate occasions, in two different countries, and with two people I had never met, the topic of my 365 Brooch Project came up. I tend to feel a bit embarrassed about this subject, mostly because I never finished it and because after about 100 brooches, it was beginning to get on my nerves. Of course I had these romantic notions of the end result up on a gallery wall, a catalogue and world wide fame and fortune, but the real fact of the matter was, it started out purely as an exercise in making, making anything, with anything, and not really giving a damn about what it was that I was making.

I still get the guilts that I never finished it, and perhaps even more now after these two recent conversations, that took place in two different countries, and with two people I had never met.

Conversation ONE took place in the car on the way to the Airport in Auckland, NZ (Jasmine and I had just spent a few days hanging out with the Jewellery Geeks and attending the opening of Touch Pause Engage). The topic of my 365 Project was broached (sorry), I squirmed in back seat of the car. The comments were positive, they loved the way I used different materials, and the excitement of coming back to the blog every so often and seeing a whole bunch of new and interesting brooches to peruse through, that they were inspired by the project.

Conversation TWO took place in my office at work, with an artist who had just opened her show in gallery 2 (go and see it, it's freaking GREAT). She mentioned that she always enjoyed looking at project (cue guilty squirming) and seeing the what materials I would use and even suggested that once she was back in Japan, that she would send me some crazy materials to see what I would do with them.

All these comments have had me thinking. Should I start again? I had always thought this project was just for me, but it appears that it connected with more people than I could have ever imagined.

While I ponder these thoughts, below are some images of work that I made last year, some of it just for kicks and others for shows.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers - Z

Guest Post (Nina Baker)

2011-02-10T17:00:00.000-08:00

MAKING:
Street Sweeper Jewellery:

The first 7 finished pieces exhibited at gaffa

More pieces in the making on my bench

Is about collecting street sweeper bristles that are scattered all over the cities kerb sides. So far I have made 7 finished pieces. I must make 50 to finish the series. A wise Tutor once taught me- that to make 50 variations will make your brain hurt and suck out enough useful possibilities, then pick your favourite and make another 20 variations...maybe, maybe I wont do that hmm. So far It has been a bit of play, I want to give the project more depth and make clearer my observations which are:

1.Its quite ironic and funny to be picking up the debris and garbage that the city's cleaning device leaves behind

2.To bring such rubbish into the jewellery realm juxtaposed with pearl and silk.

3.What Is Rubbish / What is Beautiful...

4.Because after all pearl is oyster spit and silk is worm poop.

Finally, I think there is a possibility for this work to fit really nicely with an outside public installation project "To put it back to were it came" I don't know how to approach this yet- I'm all ears please let me know if you have any ideas on how this could work!

WEARING:

today I am wearing two humble shonky novelty elastic bands I found on different streets on the same day, a purple crown and a glow in the dark boat. I swear I'm not a bag lady! I don't find all my jewellery on the street, really!

Found Bracelets

Me wearing my wares, brooch plywood with paint.

And Also this wooden Brooch(not found on the street) sometimes I make these at home just for fun, to get away from thinking conceptual studio work.

VIEWING:

New Works by Rui Kikuchi (Japan) was the last show I went to at Studio 20/17

Rui Kikuchi (photo via 20/17 blog)

This was a really beautiful fun show, Rui had taken pet bottles and dyed and formed them into wearables that resemble sea corals, anemones and the like, very colourful, delicate and beautiful. Meeting Rui was great and we had a good old chat and two days later we crossed paths again at the cafe I work at which was all very friendly and excellent.

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Thanks Miss Baker for a great post. If you want to know more about Nina and her adventure fun times and recent activities visit her on her goodtimes blog.

Cheers - Z

Show me what you've got!

2011-02-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

click on the image to make it bigger.

Please email me if you would like a PDF version and feel free to spread the word.

zoe@gaffa.com.au

Cheers.

Guest Post (Phylicia Gilijamse)

2011-01-27T15:58:00.000-08:00

Finished and unfinished Tak pieces on my bench

Making

I am about to graduate. My final presentation will be on February the first. So right now everything is chaos! My graduation Project is called “I want Tak” and the project consists of one hundred necklaces that seem identical but are all unique if you look at them carefully.

The repetition of something presupposes that there is or was an original. I am interested in working with the principle of the copy instead of the original.

If one hundred people were to record the same song from the radio onto a cassette tape, the song would appear to sound the same on all tapes, but if you were to analyze all one hundred tapes, you would hear differences in all one hundred recordings. Background noise, quality and clarity; even though each contains the same song. Additional sounds are added and details from the original are lost. The work I am making somewhat resembles this effect.

I have never really been interested in producing series in larger quantities. In fact, I enjoy producing my work myself, this means I can produce a smaller quantity then when I would use intermediate goods. I am working on the theme “copy”, so it seemed appropriate to develop a series that would actually reach more people than the pieces that I normally make. A series that is relatively easy to produce, yet unique. An affordable series consisting of unique pieces. Better yet, unique copies!

The enamel I use is light transparent and a bit stubborn, which I normally wouldn’t like. In this case this particular enamel, helps me to make all the pieces slightly different from each other. Somehow it is impossible to make to perfectly homogeneous pieces with this powder, all the parts are basically imperfect. The sizes of the ornaments are the same and the colour is about the same, but they are all a bit different, all with their own flaws.

Wearing Anne Achenbach’s jewellery

Wearing

Today I was wearing a necklace, or a pendant made from a bike, made by my dear friend Anne Achenbach. She took an old folding bicycle and sliced them in to elegant pieces. Her series consist of brooches and pendants.

Kolor Exhibition Cologne

Viewing

For the last past weeks I have only been working on “I want Tak” and haven’t had a lot of time for other stuff. But there was one exhibition I visited last week. It was a mixed exhibition from students who study on the FH Duesseldorf departments; Photography, Architecture and Product Design.

The location was one of my favourite things about the exhibition. The Exhibition was in an old cream factory in Cologne, Germany.

http://kolormagazin.de/home.html - http://www.peterinderkiste.de/

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What a great post!!! Thanks a bunch Phylicia!!!! Totally Rocking!

I first came across the "I WANT TAK" project on the AJF blog. It was just so nice to see something so fresh and new, and as I've mentioned before, I was totally sucked in by the concept and the marketing. Brilliant! I've placed my order and can't wait to receive it in the post in the coming weeks (I hear Miss Baker has two coming in her direction). Whoo Hoo! There may still be a few left, so I reckon you too should support this great project.

I can't wait to see what Phylicia does next.

Cheers - Z

ps. Just a heads up. You might notice that some of the links aren't in English, thats because Phylicia lives in Germany. ya.

Touch, Pause, Engage-a-go-go.

2011-01-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

link

The Old Fashioned Way!

2011-01-17T17:54:00.000-08:00

How cool is this??!! You can send your jewels through the post the old fashioned way, and write a little note on them.

This Jewelgraphy card was designed by Naoko Fukuoka for D-BROS, a graphic design studio based in Tokyo.

Image from Uponafold - buy card here or here.

Welcome to 2011 - I'm sure you will be happy here.

2011-01-16T00:55:00.001-08:00

Yes, it has been a while, sorry.

2010. What a year.

2011. What will it bring? I expect bloody exciting things, opportunities, shows and more adventures than you can poke a stick at. I'm looking forward to putting new projects into action, collaborating with some exciting talent, and working on my writing (with a little help for Mr Skinner) and more frequent postings on this here blog.

Random:

# I want one of these - I WANT TAK (I'm a total sucker for marketing, and why not, love the idea)

# Touch, Pause, Engage - Is going to be shown in NZ, and this time they are also presenting the first 15 jewellers from Oz (including me, wooo). I'll be heading over to Auckland with my good mateys Jaz Matus and Vernon Bowden (who are also in the show) on the 4th of February. Hit me up if you want to go for a beer.

# I reckon if you're in melbourne you should get along to this - RJMP

# Do it yourself rings. Brilliant.

Hope your 2011 is looking gooood. Let me know what you're up to.

Cheers - Z

Catch me up.

2010-11-21T22:56:00.000-08:00

So I guess apologies are in order, It seems it has been a little while between beers, sorry, posts.

Perhaps you might be interested in what's been going on.

A few great exhibitions:

Touch, Pause, Engage.

Marked by Sonya Scott.

The Box Project.

Wrapped.

Some great publicity:

'Sterling by Gaffa' in Vogue Living - Nov/Dec 2010 - Page 66

'Sterling by Gaffa' in SMH - Essential section- Thursday 21st October.

Something random I did:

What's mine is yours.

Guess thats all for now, hope you kids are all well and good, and make sure you check below for some more great guest posts.

rocking.

- Z

Guest Blog (Karen Thompson aka Melbourne Jeweller)

2010-11-21T22:38:00.000-08:00

Making:
I wish I could devote more time to making! I am working on a small group for Studio 20/17 'Un-Wrapped' week-long exhibition (just before Christmas). I've been experimenting with making frames, which I'll powdercoat and over which I'll wrap narrow woven panels of paper/silver. It's a small progression from previous work, and I like the focus a themed group exhibition provides. They're only in the development stage at this point, so I need to move them along quickly.
Wearing:
The most recent addition to my collection is a Katherine Bowman parti-colour sapphire and white gold 'celebration' ring. I've only had it for a few weeks and I am as excited as a giddy child about it - it's beautiful! It has a weight that is so pleasing to feel; and from the first day I put it on it felt like it belonged.
I also always wear a more linear diamond and white gold I commissioned from my teacher at the Goldsmiths School in Brisbane about a decade ago (it's #17 in my collection stories on my blog).

Viewing:
I've been reading non-fiction books about science recently ... sounds duller than it is actually! I've read 'Unweaving the Rainbow' in which I fell in love with the phrase about stars: "The sky was full of ghosts". And the diary of Sir Joseph Banks on the Endeavour; I'm not very far into it, but a few days ago he described a "lunar rainbow" which has inspired me. I find my imagination catches on to such turns of phrase to make lovely images in my mind.
For the near future, I'm excited about visiting graduate exhibitions and 'Returning to the Jewel is a return from exile' at Tarrawarra (with Robert Baines, Karl Fritsch, Gerd Rothmann).
And of course I enjoy blog-surfing, especially jewellery-related blogs: I have a long list of regularly visited blogs, and I like also looking for new ones.

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A Huge THANK YOU to Karen from the very successful and amazing jewellery blog 'Melbourne Jeweller'. If you don't already know about this blog, where on earth have you been?!! Get on over there and check back there often, Karen is totally dedicated to her blog, unlike me of late. sorry.

Guest Blog (Michele Morcos)

2010-11-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

Making -

I’m in the middle of many little projects at the moment. And I seem to be in the middle of many different studio areas too! After finishing a six -month studio residency at The Primrose Studios where I had a beautiful big studio to play in, I now seem to be struggling with settling back into my tiny studio at home! {M1 +M2} I call my home studio The Cobwebs + Laundry studio and I think the name should give you an indication of what the space is like!

It is cozy though…and I’m thinking/ reworking/ and playing with the sketches I did over the weekend, as part of a 2-day drawing workshop with the National Art School. {M3} Upstairs at my desk, I have an embroidery to complete for a commission. It is from a series called The Inquisitive Little Owl that I did for an exhibition at Gaffa called Le Fil. It’s lovely when a series of works take on a life of its own… and you get asked to do a commission, when a person is still thinking of a piece that they saw many moons ago! That’s always a treat! {M4}

Wearing –

For me colour is one of most important things!

To play with, to be creative with, to think in and dream about!

So I guess everything I wear tells a colour story of sorts and my jewellery plays a big part in that. Most of the jewellery that I have collected over the years, while working at places like Quadrivium and Object has been about fun, texture, and colour. Lovely artists like Anna Davern, Birgit Holdinghausen, Amy Jenkins, Stephanie Milne, Dani M, Sim Luttin + Leslie Matthews.

But one artist and friend that has featured heavily in my daily rotation of pieces is the lovely Mel Young, especially with her stack rings! {W1} I have about eight and counting… Every day I have at least one or more rings on my right hand, and they change every day. I also love to wear one of her thread neckpieces that I have in a beautiful red coral! That piece comes out for special occasions! {W2}

However I did make a sneaky purchase a few weeks ago at Gaffa’s gallery shop Sterling, where I bought a sewn neckpiece Phoebe Miller which I cant seem to stop wearing!!

It is purple + blue +maroon+ red and I love it!

Viewing –

A LOT! I seem to go in phases of seeing exhibitions, reading books and collecting art publications. And at the moment I’m doing all of the above! I just finished reading Haruki Murakami’s amazing book Kafka on the Shore’, which blew my away! I’ve now borrowed another one his books from my local library called Sputnik Sweetheart. I love going to the library and wandering the aisles when I have a free moment. I guess its alittle nostalgic, but it’s also about not having to take ownership of every single object in your life… I love borrowing, swapping, exchanging, bartering, + recycling.

But in saying that I have bought some lovely books lately! {V1} A massive Frank Auerbach hardcopy hardcore art book I’ve lusted over for many a year since my art school days over 10 years ago! I was so so happy when it arrived in the mailbox after finding it on Amazon! I also found a lovely new publication on Frida Kahlo, which looks at her sketch diaries. They were so textural, raw and colourful + inspiring, giving a true insight into her creative process and intuitive mind. She dealt with a crippling amount of set backs due to illness and continued to express it all through her art, which is something I try to do through my life.

And finally… for my birfday I bought myself a sneaky present, which was Shaun Tans new book of sketches, called The Bird King. He is such an amazing drawer/illustrator from Australia.

And as for seeing… bloody hell…too many great shows at the moment!

Primavera at the MCA, a great solo exhibition of a mate of mine - Kath Fries- who showed at The Japan Foundation this month, The Secrets + Stories exhibition at Object Gallery, Gaffa’s never-ending schedule of great exhibitions such as Say your Piece,{V2} which was a brooch exhibition curated by Jessica Page. And then there are all the great Art+ About events which have just begun around the city with many crafting sessions taking place which will be fun!

I have to admit the Sydney Biennale was a brilliant arts event this year, especially the exhibition out at Cockatoo Island! I loved seeing it all…

But most days you will find me at my computer writing my blog – tinytrappings – or in the studio thinking, dreaming, drawing + painting!…

So even though I’m gazing at a few shows at the moment, I’m mostly found in a tiny spot, listening some of my favourite music ( at the moment it’s a mix of Ezel, QTip, Dwele, Janelle Monae, Recloose + plenty of jazz) while I type or draw away…

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I must thank the amazingly kind and supremely lovely Michele Morcos. You might again notice that this is a little late on getting to you guys. It's been stupidly crazy in the world of brand.

Also Michele has just launched her online shop, Tiny Trappings now you can snap up her beautiful artwork, christmas is coming!!

Maker-Wearer-Viewer- Caz Guiney (Guest Blog)

2010-10-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

Brooch 1-salvaged plastic from Harmers Haven beach

Brooch 2-salvaged plastic from Harmers Haven beach

Brooch 3-salvaged plastic from Harmers Haven beach

Making - from the bench…not quite…but from the beach! The following 3 brooches were made whilst away over the school holidays in a magnificent place called Harmers Haven. Although I have a history of hesitating making from recycled remnants (only because I am never able to decide what to do with them), I was drawn to collecting mostly red pieces of plastic from the beach. As I was collecting a very clear image was forming in my mind as to how they would go together……nothing original here but I enjoyed the spontaneity. Superglue from Wonthaggi supermarket, brooch pins from the bead shop and voila! They will remain down at Harmers Haven as the owner has quite a social life down there and I thought she might like to wear them on rotation to her lunch and dinner dates.

Cass Partington earrings

Wearing – Cass Partington earrings, sterling silver, oxidised fans. I received these from Cass for my 40^th and have worn them almost every day since then…..guess how long that has been!

Viewing – yesterday I went to a lecture at NGV Australia titled “With Mari” obviously referring to the late Mari Funaki. This was given by Otto Kunzli. It was actually more like a eulogy, quite an intimate, personal account of Otto’s journey with Mari. The slides accompanying his ‘conversation’ were mixed; some of Mari’s jewellery and sculpture, some of Otto’s work and many images of Mari very relaxed…even in swimwear (with a resort pant of course). Although I didn’t know Mari well I couldn’t help but imagine her squirming at the thought of these personal images being shown at a ‘ticket only’ event at the National Gallery of Australia. It did seem rather odd.

Viewing the exhibition of her sculpture was particularly moving following Otto’s talk. Although familiar with Mari’s work I find it continuously refreshing because there is nothing else quite like it out there in either the jewellery or sculpture world that I am aware of.

Just as arresting was the exhibition next door ‘Presence’ a John Davis retrospective. John Davis was the sculpture lecturer at VCA when my partner studied there in the late 80’s so I was very keen to check it out. It was so great……..I could have stayed there for hours only I had to get home for dinner and kid business. I urge everyone to see it.

Typically whilst at the NGV I ventured into the bookshop, dug deep and bought a couple of books; John Davis-Presence catalogue and Martin Parr ‘Object’. Martin Parr is a photographer with a passion for collecting and this book is documentation of some of his collections. His photography really appeals to me and his collecting helps me justify my endless passion for collecting…as he says ‘I have a very strong collecting gene’.

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I've been a bit busy of late and didn't get a chance to post this as soon as it came in. So when Caz writes 'yesterday', what she really means is 'oh about a week ago'. Thanks so much Caz (visit her blog here) and those brooches are totally rocking!!

Maker-Wearer-Viewer- Beatrice Chew (Guest Blog)

2010-10-03T23:57:00.000-07:00

Badges for Unlimited: Designing for the Asia Pacific. Image courtesy of Peonypress.com.au

Making - A thousand badges for adorning plain delegate bags and volunteer tee shirts.

Today marks the start of the conference I have been working tirelessly towards for the past 5 months or so. The ideals behind this event were to connect great thinking minds with appropriate contexts, to provide betterment in standard of life in the South East Asia. All too serious I know, which is why it was appropriate to have a little fun with the last objects I made for them, badges! We don't need another tee shirt stamped with logos.

Wearing
I collect bird brooches to remind me of my ideals and my obsession with the notion of flight. Complete with golden highlights and a partial fingerprint, this wood pigeon is a must wear this days, since the day I saved it from a sad rainy day in Ponsonby on my recent trip to Auckland. Looking forward to my next piece to add to this collection.

We craft this city. Image courtesy of http://collectatobjectgallery.blogspot.com/

Watching
Object Gallery launched 'We craft this city' last saturday, with all day crafting sessions led by Ebony Bizys, Craft Cartel and Knitty Gritty and Loopy. And though I missed much of it, what little time I had sharing and watching people pick up new skills never seemed dull at any moment. It was a blessing to be indoors as it was raining and impossible to be outside like at Hyde Park for Art park on the previous weekend. Working with/at Object has been the best thing that has happened to me this year, with people watching coming a close second.

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Thank you Miss Chew. You are one rocking lady!!

Maker - Wearer - Viewer - Naomi Stewart (Guest Blog Post)

2010-09-27T20:21:00.001-07:00

MAKING

Naomi Stewart, cry-santhemum neckpieces, 2010, sterling silver

The latest thing to come off my bench was a pair of small sterling silver earrings made on commission (my first “real” commission!). Over the last few months I have been working on a range of delicate hand-carved and cast sterling silver pieces, and the earrings were to accompany a blackened silver necklace I had made previously.

WEARING

Favorite earrings: Unknown maker, ceramic, sterling silver

Today I am wearing a pair of earrings borrowed from my darling older sister. They are fairly simple oval drops: white ceramic (I think), with beautiful red detailing that is reminiscent of Japanese kimono fabric. I adore these earrings, and am not sure whether my sister will ever get them back!

VIEWING

Kitty Kantilla, Untitled, 2001, natural earth pigments on canvas, 96 x 86cm

(photo courtesy of Sotheby’s catalogue, Sydney 2003)

Since April I have been working (unexpectedly) in an environment surrounded by contemporary Indigenous Australian art. I can happily acknowledge that I was completely ignorant of the deeply moving works in painting, sculpture and prints that are emerging (and have been emerging for a long time) from the remote Aboriginal communities of Australia. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to learn about the art and to hear the stories of the artists behind the works - both have been a source of inspiration that I am only just beginning to appreciate.

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Thanks Naomi, and good luck with your show 'Cast Off' which opens next week.

CAST OFF: contemporary jewellery exhibition

22 contemporary jewellers from Australia

and New Zealand explore traditional and

non-traditional casting techniques

in this exhibition of recent work.

7 - 19 October 2010

Keeper Gallery @ gaffa

Maker-Wearer-Viewer- Katherine Bowman (Guest Blog)

2010-09-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

Making - I have just finished a body of work for an exhibition that I had with jeweller Vikki Kassioras, and that took up a lot of my time. The work that I made for this show were paintings, all on paper. I am now back at the bench and am concentrating on my production jewellery range. When I say production, it is really very small runs of 'one off' series of work.

Wearing- I wear jewellery everyday, mostly rotating a number of pieces that I love. I don't feel quite 'right' if I am not wearing at least one of the pieces that I have taken a picture of. At the moment my favourite earrings are hoops made by Anna Clynes. If I am not wearing these I wear these gold studs I made about 5 years ago. I always wear a ring, the one pictured is my favourite, I made it to celebrate my 40th birthday last year. Turquoise is my favourite stone, this necklace I brought from a Tibetan shop in Melbourne 20 years ago.The bracelet is made up of agate beads.

Viewing- I read a lot, and look at pictures a lot. The older I get I seem to look more than read, and I tend to read and look at a number of things at once. If I am reading a novel, I do that properly and read it from start to finish. I think that that is why I love reading poetry, as I can pick it up and read randomly. At the moment this is my stack of books that I am reading and looking at. Poetry by Federico Garcia Lorca, Anne Carson and Mary Oliver. A novel by Andrew McGahan, Wonders Of A Godless World. The Miracle Of Mindfulness, by Thich Nhat Hanh I am re reading. And looking at Etcetera by Sibella Court and Medieval Jewellery by Marian Campbell (which I am reading/looking)

I look at my dog Milly a lot. I think that she is the cutest dog that I have ever seen. She has recently had a big operation on her back leg, so I am sort of obsessively look at her going, I think the operation worked/ I think that she is limping etc. I also listen to a lot of music. My favourites at the moment are Coles Corner and Truelove's Gutter, by Richard Hawley, Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle by Bill Callahan and anything by the Ethiopiques.

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Thanks so much Katherine, what a tops post. To see more of what Katherine likes to look at visit her blog.

Maker-Wearer-Viewer-Erin Keys (Guest Blog)

2010-09-20T04:48:00.000-07:00

Making
Sadly, or perhaps, excitedly (I can’t tell which YET) my bench looks like this (See image of naked bench), in preparation for the fantastic jeweller/ vessel maker Jane Bowring. I have boxed everything and I am saying farewell *sniff* to my friends and invaluable mentors at Gray Street Workshop, Adelaide and I am moving to Sydney. I have just finished a wedding ring for the talented glass artist Amanda Dziedzic. Two rings that fit together (but not as controlled as Nina Koppel for Georg Jensen’s Fusion Ring) were hand carved out of wax and cast in 9ct white gold. Five sparkling champagne diamonds and ten smoky quartz stones were pressure set asymmetrically all over … so pretty and I especially like the hidden underneath and at the side stones; something just for Amanda. She and I worked together on this through many discussions over coffee and wine, respectively, and equal amounts of viewing throughout the carving process. I think she was more scared than me, as the wedding band has an inherent value embedded that I wont ever fully understand, unless I get married. It is such a sacred object that can contain so much for the bride and groom to be. I love it. Nerves et al.

Currently, I am in the process of designing something big, something beautiful and something totally haute couture for an exhibition next year.

Wearing
Perhaps like many jewellers, I don’t wear much jewellery. I own many pieces acquired throughout the years, either given by friends or bought. I have worn the same rings (11 rolled silver, gold and stainless steel rings) on my right hand finger since 2001. Given to me by a dear friend, Amy Jenkin, they are as much a part of me as my tattoos and the scars on my skin. Over the years they have modified my finger shape and carry with them various attachments, emotions and stories too. I love them very much. I have been wearing the same brooch practically everyday since April, it was given to me by jeweller Mark Vaarwerk. It is cast in Silver, initially shrunk from a foam disc (I think cut from a vegetable box) and, once cast, painted with red pencil. I love it and enjoy the compliments that come with owning it. A few months ago I lost my patience with my earrings always falling out of my ear lobes that were 12-14mm holes. Within a week, I could not get the plugs back in and a few weeks later they were smaller still, so, I let them shrink and allowed the excitement for “proper” ladies earrings to ensue. Recently I have been wearing black electric cable earrings given to me at my birthday by my vivacious friend and Melbourne based jeweller, Regina Middleton (who I met for the first time at the JMGA conference and have become great friends and Jedi jewellers). The earrings, while very modern because of the material used, have a 1950s aesthetic; which makes me feel totally flash!

I am welcoming all other offerings of earrings now that I can wear them after 12 years of 2 big holes!

Viewing
In general, I have been experiencing a general funk in my practice, and so have enjoyed sitting by the beach and nurturing my headspace, by the unbeatable coastlines within South Australia. Riding my bike and clearing the oft laden brain with cold air and long rides or perusing the SA Museum and looking at the indigenous jewellery and artefacts. My practice has led me to work at the computer a lot lately (whence funk) because I have been entering exhibitions and applying for an arts residency. After all the writing and refining of my own language and ideas, I am trying to look further in to the content of my work, what it means, how it can evolve/ grow change remain open, and I am trying to strip it back or rather, hone it to nothing but honest and present making. By critically looking at what I do, and what I say/ write is actually very difficult. Further looking in to script, text, and language in general; in particular communication I feel like I am discovering new areas of investigating. Curiously, I feel like my discoveries are like the Möbius strip, with endless paths to explore.

I am in the process of having my website built www.erinkeys.com (Coming Soon) by artist Richard Byers

Unrelated, in the direct sense, to jewellery, I am reading a book about Sun Ra, the unorthodox jazz musician, Space Is The Place: The Lives And Times Of Sun Ra.

Sun Ra developed a complex persona of "cosmic" philosophies and lyrical poetry that made him a pioneer of afrofuturism as he preached awareness and peace. In some ways I relate to the man that locates himself in outer space, beyond both the geographical limits of ones country and the ideological limits of one’s social/ political climate. The concept that SPACE IS THE PLACE is one worth embracing!

As I procrastinate, I feed steadily on the overflowing wealth of anomalies in the webosphere, I read blogs, some of worth, but most are radically rude and ridiculous time wasters to humour me. A few worth mentioning are: http://passionpoppistol.blogspot.com/ I wait eagerly for the next instalments by Briohny Doyle and I wish that I could write as well as her; she makes me whimper with linguistic envy. Another enviable blogger is Vasili Kaliman's Art Patrol http://artpatrol.blogspot.com/ images of the best contemporary art exhibitions in commercial galleries, a life looking at art (for real) that to me seems unreal. While I do not know him, I read David Neale’s blog http://thegoldensmith.blogspot.com/ mainly, because he has an equally met obsession with bicycles. However, I appreciate how he presents the world through his collection of images and brief, but often humorous narrative. I appreciate his, apparent, honesty in offering the reader artefacts from his experiences and day-to-day observations.

We have just come to the end of SALA in Adelaide where there were a lot of exhibitions to view. Some notable were Abstract Nature at Samstag, Guest curator Margot Osborne, presents work by twenty notable Australian artists. In her essay ‘The nature of things: thoughts on organic abstraction, beauty and immanence’, Osborne writes, “Many works are suffused with a discernable sense of place. They reflect the artists' deep responses not merely to the natural world in general but to those specific places in the Australian environment that are, for them, imbued with beauty, meaning and spiritual sustenance”. The work in this show is mature and with strongly executed visions that involve the manipulation of found natural materials and intuitive responses to the natural world. I saw Fiona Lowry and & Justine Varga’s exhibition at Hugo Michell Gallery I love Lowry’s titles as much as the work itself, they seem to be as much a part of the final piece as the colours she chooses to use. The delicate and seductive quality of the airbrushed landscape is inviting, yet the luring quality leaves me with a feeling of paranoia, as though I ought not trust what I see. Her imagery contains a dark and melancholy perspective. The canvas’ tease your perception and play with the idea of space, leaving a somewhat sensational feeling after seeing her work.

After months of not really making, I feel that a cyclonic metal dust storm is on its way. Something has to happen! With spring slowly showing signs of blowing a cold winter away, and the pollen, petals and scent of new beginnings replacing it. I am expecting a shift in the way I work and the usual tools I use in my approach to thinking and making. Exciting times ahead.

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Thanks Erin for a totally rocking Blog post. Looking forward to having beers with you in old Sydney town.

New Jewels!

2010-09-16T16:13:00.001-07:00

This was made for me by my good matey Likkle Girl it is made from an apron that my grandmother had made. I don't actually have it yet, monday is delivery day, needless to say I'm pretty bloody excited. Follow the link to see more images and details. I do love my crafty pals.

Maker-Wearer-Viewer-Melissa Cameron (Guest Blog)

2010-09-16T00:55:00.000-07:00

Melissa Cameron The Maker - I'm working on some pieces to enter into Schmuck this year, which are being made out of this tin. I don't have progress shots at the moment, but so far both sides have been cut into patterns and are separated into in two neat piles (with the remainder of the tin on top) on the side of my desk in my studio. Once I've had a play with all the bits I'll make my final decision on what they will all become. At this stage I know it's four jewellery works-in-waiting.

Front and Back images of a sandblasted recycled cigarette tin - probably gilding metal.

Melissa Cameron The Wearer - I have on my engagement rings (pictured) and wedding band all by Perth jeweller Gillian Rainer. I also always wear a ring that I had made for my 21st birthday, which includes diamonds from my great-grandmother that were passed down through my nan to my mum when I was born. Finally, I also am wearing a pendant that I made as part of my MFA research, which I gave, at the time, the lofty title of Black Planar Cross. When I displayed it in my examination exhibition it was strung differently, with an extra link, and on white thread. After making a few more pieces in a similar format, I realised that it didn't need to be so complex, so I restrung it and have been wearing it ever since. (And that's why it looks so... well, careworn.)

Engagement rings, Gillian Rainer, 2005. 18 carat white gold, rose gold and yellow gold, diamonds.

BlackPlanarCross - pendant, Melissa Cameron, 2009 (5cm x 5cm x .5cm). Blackened + sandblasted mild steel, silk thread.

Melissa Cameron The Viewer - The last show I saw just happened to be jewellery! How about that? It was Bad Beasts Do Not Harm Me featuring Natalia Milosz-Piekarskaand Karla Way at Craft Victoria, which was last Thursday. I'm planning on heading out this afternoon to see Helen Dilkes's works in a show titledRe-visions: new art from old at RMIT's First Site Gallery which opened yesterday. Helen is a current MA student in RMIT's gold and silversmithing department. A brief glance at my bedside table tells me I'm reading Martin Kemp's Leonardo da Vinci: the marvellous works of nature and man, but since I spend my mornings on the computer, you're more likely to find me enthusing about a blog I read recently than anything else. So here's a few I got through this morning. Letters of Note - Shaun Usher posts a new letter that he thinks should have a wider audience, every weekday. Amy Tavern - a jeweller and educator based in America. Ponoko Blog - A geeky blog for laser-cutting and other digital technologies enthusiasts. Today what caught my eye was an article on United Nudeshoes. [While I don't generally wear heels, I do have two pairs of UN's Möbius shoes. I loved the first pair dearly, so I got a second to wear when I got married ;) And yes, they are based on the Möbius Strip.] Ordinai Observations - Inari Kiuru's blog, (a jeweller and graphic artist based in Melbourne) with beautiful images and her poetic musings. Mary Hackett - Another jeweller currently doing her MA at RMIT.and of course Melbourne Jeweller - Karen Thompson's blog about all things jewellery

Thanks Melissa for the great post. If you would like to know more about Melissa Cameron head to her blog.

FUNdraising Auction.

2010-09-12T19:31:00.000-07:00

14th September: Design Centre (Enmore, Sydney) Jewellery + Object Design Fundraising Auction

Bank Hotel, 324 King Street Newtown, 6:30pm (bidding commences at 7:30)

“The Jewellery and Object Design Department, Design Centre Enmore is hosting its 5th annual Fundraising Auction. The Auction is an enormously successful event that showcases a range of contemporary jewellery and design by renowned Australian makers (such as Ragnar Hansen, Catherine Harrington, Anna Davern + many more!) This initiative helps to raise funds towards the Jewellery and Object Design Department’s annual end of year student exhibition that launches our emerging designers. Our fundraising auctions have become highly anticipated and are a wonderful opportunity for bidders to secure one-off, handmade designer wearables by leading contemporary designers.“

The Image on the invite is the piece I donated. Zoe Brand, 'She Was Looking at Life Through the Mists of a Hangover', Grolsch Beer rubber stoppers, stainless steel.

the world needs more of you.

2010-09-09T20:45:00.000-07:00

Subliminal Infiltrations

DUKE FROST: UP DOWN CHARM STRANGE TRUTH BEAUTY

2010-09-09T20:08:00.001-07:00

(click on image to make bigger)


NB. DUKE FROST is an alter ego, this show was conceived, made and installed within a period of 3 days.

Maker-Wearer-Viewer

2010-08-18T03:49:00.000-07:00

maker: brooch.
"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink " (Isaiah 5:11)
materials: rubber stoppers sourced from empty grolsch beer bottles and stainless steel

wearer: Mark Vaarwerk

viewer: Vicki Mason's Broaching change project

Hidden Facets.

2010-08-18T03:36:00.000-07:00

Hidden Facets.

keeper gallery.

12th - 24th August 2010.

Katherine Wheeler and Abby Seymour.

first and last.

2010-08-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

first and last.

keeper gallery.

29th July - 10th August 2010.

Green D 27

2010-08-10T05:39:00.001-07:00

strangely the only photo I snapped whilst away. weird.

Melbourne, some might say Australia's contemporary jewellery capital, others, may not. Either way it so happened that last week I managed to escape the world of gaffa/sydney/keeper and headed south for a little time out and some jewellery nerd excursions.

First stop - A studio visit to see/meet Natalia Milosz-Piekarska and Karla Way. These ladies know how to rock a studio. Thanks for having me and good luck with the show preparations.

Next stop eg.et.al, Craft Vic, Studio Ingot, Gallery Funaki, and finally to the Ian Potter Centre to see the amazing work of the late Mari Funaki.

Believe me, it wasn't all beer and skittles, there was pizza and cocktails too.

However the main reason for my trip down south was to attend a jewellery symposium (*cough*nerd*cough*). you bet.

If you want to actually know what the papers were about and what other lovely jewellers thought, you're best off going here (Melbourne Jeweller) and here ( Melissa Cameron).

I, on the other hand, am unsure what I could tell you about the day, tend to have a different approach to taking notes and remembering things. It's not a straight up science, more catch phrases, words and nuances that are left marked on my pages. Ideas and concepts that seemed to resinate with me, that made me nod my head in an appreciating silence. I collect words. They aren't special words. They contain all the meaning they need (for me) without the use for other words. Sometimes, however, they gain strength when combined into a small bunch.

responsibility.

I walk.

recovering - recovering.

garnish.

art with a punch line.

whatever.

jewellery way of seeing.

DEAD.

can contemporary jewellery save the world? does it need to? would anybody care? does any body care?

can you be maker, wearer and viewer? do you have to chose? which one would you give up?

I left Melbourne perplexed, concerned and a little disheartened. This trip wasn't the pep talked I so desperately wanted, it wasn't the cute boy asking me to meet him behind the shed after school, and it most certainly wasn't a triumphant mastering of a Croquembouche.

Now it seems I have more questions, more worries and more thoughts about the world of contemporary jewellery, but those I guess you'll hear another day.

3:08 am

2010-07-28T10:08:00.001-07:00

still installing first and last.

welcome back.

2010-07-19T00:01:00.001-07:00

All photos taken by Joy and John of lyrebird photography (www.lyrebird.joylai.com) and not to be reproduced with out permission.

looking good kids, looking good!!

Now that the shop has officially launched, I can try and focus a bit more of my energies back to Keeper Gallery and my own making practice. Hurrah.

something and nothing.

2010-07-06T06:31:00.001-07:00

a collection of singles.

my grandmother never got rid of any thing.

a collection of things.

A collection of combinations I have made.

material : c.1950's education toy

(plastic shapes that slot into each other).

These will probably be brooches one day.

Thank you note

2010-07-06T03:19:00.001-07:00

Auckland

Lynsay Raine & Cath Dearsley

Masterworks

This is a thank you note to the lovely Auckland Geeks.

Kristin D'Agostino
Cath Dearsley
Gillian Deery

Sharon Fitness
Lynsay Raine

Nadine Carr
Raewyn Walsh

I can't thank you enough for all your amazing hospitality.

boldfaced humanity.

2010-06-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

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1# THE BLACKBOARD POST

----------------------------------------------------------------

The lovely Jeni Oye from OyeModern launched my blackboard brooches about a week ago.

Boy-o-BOY what a stir they have caused.

They are priced at $120.00 each. Some people really REALLY don't like this.

Being a maker and having your work out in the 'real world', you have to take what ever comes your way, but really, I had to laugh at the some of the comments that have been made, not just on the Oyemoden website, but also on another blog.

here are a few of the best comments (the good, the bad, and the down right hilarious):

Yeah, but you get a piece of chalk with it!
People that buy this should also get a psychological examination.

Kipper Millsap wrote:
LOVE! As a male brooch fanatic these are an easy win in my book. And as a retail salesman who moves a lot of unique jewelry, the price is super reasonable. Not everything can be purchased at Wal-Mart, folks. Special items come with a higher price tag, as they should.

Matt:

Cute idea, but WAY too expensive, especially considering it’s just blackboard paint and not the real thing (says the product description on the linked page.)

Carl wrote:
love em but too expensive--there are certain things where short runs prevent practical applications and this is one of them. I'd love to order them for a wedding but they are waaaaaayyy out of the budget.

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2# THE 'WHAT DO PEOPLE REALLY THINK OF CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY?' POST

---------------------------------------------------------------------

quirky, fun, unique.

do I need to say any more.

YIKES!!!

This pretty much leads on from the last post. Some people just don't get it.

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3# THE RE:PRODUCTION POST

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

re:production

41 artists. 205 images. 12 hour install. 654 dill holes. 25 broken drill bits.

1 perfect install partner.

I didn't quite make it to my magic number (100).

Which in some ways is a blessing, as it pretty much would have doubled the stats above.

Unfortunately, it does not look as spectacular as I would have hoped.

But still, you know what? not a bad effort I think.

I will be putting up all the images and caption details, on the blog in the next few weeks.

--------------------------------------------------------------

4# THE 'NEW GAFFA RETAIL STORE' POST

--------------------------------------------------------------

Last week we opened the retail store at gaffa.

It is not quite finished yet, a bit more stock and a few finishing touches are still needed.

Come on down and have a gander and a chat.

www.gaffa.com.au

-----------------------------------------------------------------

5# THE 'I"M HEADING TO NZ' POST

-----------------------------------------------------------------

As a birthday present to myself, I purchased some very cheap flights to Auckland, NZ.

2 more sleeps and i'll be hanging out with all of Aucklands finest jewellery nerds.

I CAN'T WAIT.

re:production Blog

2010-05-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

images: alice potter

re:production the exhibition

has a blog

I'm also working on a proposal to hopefully take the show to Masterworks in NZ next year.

Sadly I'm not anywhere near my target of 100 jewellers....

It looks like I have made it to about 40 with a few more to come, not a bad effort, but if you still are still keen to take part, and I know you are, just drop me a line. (zoe.brand@hotmail.com)

So, rally the troops and jump on board.

Art Jewellery Forum

2010-05-11T04:30:00.000-07:00

Yikes. Somehow Damian Skinner thought my report on Schmuck 2010 was worth putting up on the super fantastic Art Jewellery Forum Blog. I hope that referring to myself as like 'an old man in a porn shop' wasn't going too far.

Link.

let me know what you think.

re:production

2010-05-03T03:56:00.001-07:00

Please see below for an invitation to participate in re:production.

Feel free to pass this along to anyone who might be interested.

Adorning almost every surface of a room, re:production is an exhibition of roughly 500 images that document the practices of a diverse range of contemporary jewellery makers.

By removing the ‘end product’ of a work and displaying only the documentation in the form of a series of images, the viewer is given a different perspective from which to understand further the workings of contemporary jewellery practice.

Exhibition Dates: 3rd June - 29th June 2010

Location: Keeper Gallery @ gaffa, Sydney, Australia

Deadline: Thursday 20th May 2010

If you any questions please feel free to email zoe.brand@hotmail.com

Cheers - Zoe

click on images to make larger.

statement.

2010-04-27T06:39:00.000-07:00

it was a hardboiled fiction.

plastic eggs, silver, blackboard paint.

zoe brand 2010

She was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in variety stores.

Schmuck 2010 (PART #2)

2010-04-18T04:14:00.000-07:00

So armed with little more than a hangover and my wits I found myself traveling in a pack of unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar land on a train heading towards the Munich Craft Fair. On arrival I was relieved to find that most of my pack where flowing towards the Auto show that was also on, so I bought my ticket and proceeded past the shiny cars and scantly clad women towards Hall A where all my craft needs where to be met.

I worked my way slowly to the back of the exhibition hall, past some interesting and some not so interesting displays, trying to savior the moment before I would actually witness, the often thought of, but far off reality of attending, Schmuck. Of the 59 artists in this annual award showcase, there were some who I recognized instantly, others unfamiliar but excited me all the same, just to see the scope of work and artists on display was, well, pretty bloody awesome. It was interesting to note, perhaps because I was an Australian/ Australien a long way from home, but to see two of our national animals referenced, by two non-Australians, a pink plastic koala in work by Jantje Fleischhut and a ceramic Kangaroo brooch called Australia-Mary has a bigger bag by Marie-Louise Kristensen, made me reconsider my thoughts about how ‘faraway’ Australia really is. Highlights: Felieke van der Leest, Sergey Jivetin and Gesine Hackenberg.

Felieke van der Leest

Schmuck shared the back of the convention centre with Telente and it was a buzz with fresh excitement and approaches. It clearly succeeded in presenting the youthful exuberance of the best in their fields under the age of 30. The total highlight for me was two South Koreans, Semi Kim and Ji Hye Lee, there is just something about the immaculate technique and interesting subject matter that gets me every time. “Frame” was also placed in the back corner of the hall and showcased three of the more influential galleries in Europe, Galerie Marzee (Netherlands), Galerie Platina (Sweden) and Galerie Ra (Netherlands).

One of my first destinations on day two of my trip was Galerie Für Angewandte Kunst that was showing, Nicht Dass Du Mir Von Der Blause Fällst (don’t you dare fall off my blouse) a group show by who, I might consider the ‘parents’ of contemporary jewellery in Munich (and perhaps the rest of the world). Back in 1999 these jewellers got together on the last Wednesday of the month for some beer, food and jewellery chats. It appears that while the members of this group seemed to ebb and flow what was to be “…constant was only the young talent still in training and all jewelry gallery owners, collectors and customers were categorically denied attendance.”[1]. I was rather excited by the exhibition design, it had been a while since I had seen such a considered effort in the display of jewellery, and it was a great solution for such a large space, but honestly can’t remember a single piece from the show. I have often wondered if is it better to have an exhibition stick in your mind because of the wow factor of display and not remember the work as apposed to seeing good work displayed poorly and forgetting the show entirely. Because lets face it, there is a very fine line between these two things, even if the work is great, if the display doesn’t do it justice, it’s just another show.

[1] Klimt02 Community, Don’t You Dare Fall Off My Blouse, http://www.klimt02.net/showcase/index.php?item_id=17118, date visited 31^st March 2010

to be continued...

re-sauce 2010

2010-04-09T05:28:00.001-07:00

re-sauce

a contemporary jewellery conference.

attended by 2 sydney jewellers who could not attend the other conference.

young & brand

'make your own' pin swap

re-sauced conference bags

we checked out this great exhibition called 'designer jewellers'

interesting installation

I think this piece really 'pops'

always a fan of a 'pearl' necklace

-----00000000000000000000000000----

it twas a wonderful night, full of jewellery chats, slideshows and Kammadhenu (yum).

I hope all that made it to the other conference had as much of a rocking time as we did.

Schmuck 2010 (PART #1)

2010-04-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

kate, gillian & me.

Austr(alien)

Visiting somewhere new isn’t a foreign concept, it’s the foreign part that is, well, foreign. I arrived in Munich after spending a week in Madrid with my Family (I now understand why family holidays are such oddities), and it seemed that I was unprepared for the snow, the overwhelming amount of jewellery I was about to observe and they quantity of bread and beer that I was going to consume over the next six days.

I unfortunately arrived into Munich on the tail end of Schmuck, missing a good portion of the program (I did manage to catch about 15 exhibitions out of the possible 28 or so on the program) but spent my first night meeting up with the New Zealand contingent who very kindly filled me in on what I had very jealously missed out on. Later that evening after a few goodbyes I found myself wondering around the very cold and snow lined streets of Munich with two Talente participants, Gillian Deery (nz) and Kate Britchford (aus.) who allowed me to tag along with them to an Academy Student night. It was in a little bar where the bar staff wore shirts that said “your Sunday is my Monday” that I had the chance to meet, if only for an exceedingly brief moment, a man whose work I had ogled over for years, who I had only ever dreamed of meeting, and of the witty banter I imagined we would partake. My first (and only) meeting with Otto Kunzli, sank lower than the anchor on the titanic, it started with a handshake, proceeded with a high-pitched “hello” and ended a second later with a nervous schoolgirl giggle. This was perhaps one of the first moments I really felt like an Austr(alien), in another world and notching up yet another moment of life experience.

I have often wondered if Jewellery is not best observed through the mist of a hangover. It’s that state of fragility that requires you to muster your strength and focus all your attention to the task at hand just so you can make it through the day, and it was in this condition that I was to observe my very first Schmuck.

To be continued...

114-124/365

2010-04-03T20:51:00.001-07:00

124 - a sign from the ladies bathroom at the MLC centre.
123 - from the fabric pouch that you get when you purchase/receive as a gift a piece of jewellery from Prouds.

122 - a sign from a hand drier in a bathroom. yes, that is a kangaroo and an emu drying themselves under a commercial hand dryer.

121 - my expired medicare card

120 - found old green fiberglass

119 - cardboard from an old receipt book

118 - taken from the back of a plastic outdoors chair found on the street

117 - found headlight cover

116 - "A lovely day for a Guinness" vintage metal sign
115 - scotch bright (10 points if you can guess where you have seen this before)

114 - from the cover of a children's book

gold...

2010-03-30T23:19:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I haven't seen this before.

Its 48.52mins of GOLD (well of thinking gold).

This, I think will be my next project

(when I finish the last one - ha.)

An Australian/New Zealand response.

Grab a beer, a pen (or pencil if you prefer), some paper (or notebook) and watch it.

let me know what you think.

schmuck 2010

2010-03-16T02:24:00.001-07:00

actual schmuck images and words about schmuck coming soon.......

Homework

2010-02-25T16:52:00.000-08:00

homework - new jewellery by mark vaarwerk made from everyday materials

curated by zoe brand

In the MailBox was a soap coupon.

2010-02-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

gaffa atrium

Vernon Bowden

Melinda Young

Zoe Brand

my Office

gaffa-a-go-go

2010-02-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

Its almost upon us, the inaugural launch of the new gaffa precinct.

Who would have thought you could get paid to do what you love? I'm still in shock.

Hope you can make it.

I'll post some images when its all a-go-go.

Cheers.

104-113/365

2010-01-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

My camera died. RIP. So you will just have to deal with crappy PhotoBooth images. sorry.

113 - "cake? i've only ever heard of bread" - Bought material (a fake bread mobile phone decoration bought with the encouragement of MY and MV at the amazing japanese store that is right next door the the new gaffa) and bought finding.

112 - "squirrel in a tree"- Reclaimed Material (plastic squirrel that was a decoration on my sisters christmas present from SHB, saved from big bad plastic rubbish bag) and Found Material (a branch that had fallen off a christmas wreath from my work)

111 - "pop pop pop" - Reclaimed material - (Champagne wires) and bought finding.

110 - "my spoon, is too small" - Gifted material - (plastic spoons that look to nice to be found on an airplane) and bought findings.

109 - "scotch while serving customers" - Reclaimed material (drink stirrer that was in a drink that was 'forced' upon me by the cafe next door to where I work as an early christmas eve celebration, painted orange) and bought finding.

108 - Gifted material from Kristin (These little green balls are getting around, they have found some great new homes as little christmas presents to so many people)

107 - "Golden Speech" - Found Item (a gold earring, but when I saw it lying on the pavement it looked just like this perfect little golden speech bubble)

106 - Reclaimed material (plastic doily table cloth) and bought finding

105 - "you rock, rock" - Found Material (found while out walking around the lake in canberra) and bought finding.

104 - "eye eye key" - Gifted Material (plastic cap rings from bottles of contactlense cleaner, blue and yellow key identifier)

two thousand and zen

2010-01-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and welcome to my new home.

As of the 1st of February, I will practically be living at gaffa. I'll be running the ground floor retail area as well as a galley space (Keeper Gallery) on Level 2.

But really can one complain? a roof top garden, cafe and 3 levels of awesome.

Here is my formal spiel:

Since its inception in 2006, Gaffa Gallery has provided a creative space for emerging and established artists and designers. As an integral part of its move to Sydney’s CBD in early 2010, Gaffa will open the doors on a dedicated Jewellery and Object retail store.

At present we are looking for Jewellers, Ceramists, Glass Artists and Object makers to be represented in the retail store. We aim to showcase remarkable and exciting work, with importance placed strongly on quality craftsmanship and innovative and interesting design.

If you are interested in having your wares showcased in our retail outlet, please feel free to tell us a little more about yourself and your practice. Please provide a brief bio (200 words), a ONE page CV and some images of your production line (max 5 images) along with a word document of captions details (title, materials and retail prices). NB. Please make sure the size of your attachments does not exceed a total of 1MB.

With the opening of its inaugural exhibition, "Fidelity", the Gaffa Gallery precinct will open to the public on the evening of Thursday the 11th February 2010 at 6pm.

If you are interested in retail representation or exhibiting in Keeper Gallery please feel free to e-mail me.

zoe@gaffa.com.au

ps. my camera died... so I promise you'll get some more 365 brooches soon. Just have to find a moment in the busy busy busy busyness to fix the camera.

feast.

2009-12-21T02:24:00.001-08:00

feast is stuffed.

Holey Mackerel!

2009-12-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

Only that I thought about checking through my junk mail last night, did I stumble upon an e-mail from one Stuart Bannocks of the UK. The subject line read "Broaching Brooch or Badge", that seemed pretty harmless, so I marked it as safe and proceed to click on the link that was presented to me.

This is what was waiting for me at the other end. (Link)

Stuart has been making a Badge a day since the 11 May 2009. About 20 days before I decided to start mine. Stuart is a designer and has no jewellery experience despite the fact he went to a school in the uk called Goldsmiths (apparently they don't even have jewellery as a subject - how cool is that).

Now for the moment, I feel like I'm in a bit of a non place. This guys stuff rocks. It smacks of character and awesome ideas. Truthfully I feel a little inadequate and gobsmacked by the whole thing.

Badge v brooch.

Stuart has been making badges, and I, have been making brooches. Is there much difference in it? Is something only something because you choose to call it that (Ruudt Peters anyone?)??

Much of what Stuart has been making are badges (round plastic covered button with prefabricated parts), but there are clearly times when he pushes the idea and medium and they no longer stay a badge but perhaps become a brooch or something else entirely.

Either way, he has started a dialogue, and who doesn't love one of those.

Check him out (link)!

103/365

2009-12-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

103 - "cherryub" - Bought material (gold plastic christmas decorations) and Given Material (fake cherries given by the wonderful A Mi - thanks lady)

ps. I have some very scary looking little gold cherub heads sitting on my bench, what shall I do with them...

102/365

2009-11-26T15:02:00.000-08:00

102 - "my other Brooch is a Ted Noten" - Outsourced materials/making (custom made badges bought through etsy)

Since I had no control over the making of these badges, just what was to be written on them, I was a little disappointed when I received them (all the way from the US of A) that they were not made very well. I wanted them to be so shiny and perfect, just like a Noten brooch, but alas they look a little rough around the edges (one is actually missing its plastic cover). On further consideration, i'm starting to embrace their faults, because they are nothing like a Noten brooch, and thats kind of the point.

Now these are in an Limited Edition off 11 and I'm willing to trade. What have you got worth one of these super collectable and desirable badges?

So, what do you say?

Just what I thought, you would love too.

For the Love of the Brooch

2009-11-25T13:18:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I was approach by the lovely ladies from Studio 20/17 to curate a special satellite Christmas show for them. Feast, which is due to open in a little over 3 weeks (YIKES!) on the 20th Dec, has been a great experience and huge learning curve.

Invited participants include established and emerging jewellers from Australia and also a promising fresh crop of exciting and experimental works from New Zealander jewellers.

Two of these New Zealanders (Sharon Fitness & Lynsay Raine) have been keeping a close eye on my 365 project and in an inspired moment came up with a particularly nifty brooch idea.

"Here is a brooch that Sharon made today, after an exciting car, train, walk, bus, walk journey into work today. Inspired by the need to have your ticket ready for the transport people at every train stop. We thought you might like it."

Absolutely! Keep them coming!

I hope you are all enjoying this festive season, I've been cracking on with some pretty ugly christmas decorations as my material of choice, so look out soon for lots of gold and glittery brooches to come.

Cheers - Z

101/365

2009-11-22T02:13:00.000-08:00

101 - Reclaimed Material (Styrofoam packing bits) and Given Material (green wooden balls) and Bought findings.

100/365

2009-11-22T02:10:00.000-08:00

100 - "only 265 more to go - better eat my sausages and eggs" - Bought Material (plastic food, from the super chef's play set) and bought finding.

99/365

2009-11-22T02:07:00.000-08:00

99 - Reclaimed Material (small felt pom poms) and bought cameo finding.

98/365

2009-11-22T02:03:00.000-08:00

98 - "an eraser - for when you need to erase things" - Reclaimed Material (sold as a 'toy' that you can put in DIY christmas crackers - "wow what did you get in your bonbon? an eraser?! COOL") and a bought finding.

97/365

2009-11-22T02:00:00.000-08:00

97 - Reclaimed Material (cut from the cardboard packaging of christmas decorations) and Bought finding.

96/365

2009-11-22T01:57:00.000-08:00

96 - Reclaimed Material (plastic cocktail things that sit on the edge of your cup) and a bought finding.

95/365

2009-11-22T01:54:00.000-08:00

95 - Reclaimed Material (the cardboard bits left over when you punch out a hole - these ones came from rolls of christmas ribbon) and bought finding.

94/365

2009-11-22T01:50:00.000-08:00

94 - "U-G-L-Y" - Found Material (orange plastic string), Epoxy Resin and bought finding.

NB. This is really really ugly.

93/365

2009-11-22T01:46:00.000-08:00

93 - Found Material (piece of really beat up plastic - found while on a road trip with Albert and Mark) and bought finding (couldn't resist the gold)

92/365

2009-11-05T03:56:00.000-08:00

92 - "stay gold, ponyboy, stay white gold" - Bought Material (acrylic sign), Stainless Steel and Aluminum.

91/365

2009-11-05T03:50:00.000-08:00

91 - "Homage to David Neale" - Bought Material (papermache reindeer (20cm)) and Stainless Steel

Sorry for all these weird homages - but sometimes one must tip ones hat in the direction of perfection.

90/365

2009-11-05T03:47:00.000-08:00

90 - "Orange she lovely?" - Bought material (plastic fake fruit) and Cameo Finding

89/365

2009-11-05T03:42:00.000-08:00

89 - "A homage to Maria Hees Circa 1978" - Bought Material (black plastic hair comb)

88/365

2009-11-05T03:37:00.000-08:00

88 - Found Material (piece from a jigsaw puzzle found at the train station) and Bought finding

87/365

2009-11-05T03:31:00.000-08:00

87 - Reclaimed Material (dish washing scourer) and Stainless Steel

86/365

2009-10-07T02:04:00.000-07:00

86 - Given Material (once again from the awesome kristin - i love receiving new materials (hint hint) - plastic tray from a chocolate container) and Stainless steel and Aluminum.

85/365

2009-10-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

85 - Given Material (painted wooded balls in the best green in the world - Thanks again kristin) and bought finding

ps. there will be more little green ball brooches to come - they just haven't been finished - man I LOVE THIS GREEN!

84/365

2009-10-07T01:53:00.000-07:00

84 - A Homage to M. Young - Given Material (plastic strand of pearl pink beads from the very lovely Kristin D'Agostino, as well as another strand of wood? beads from my grandmother) and stainless steel

83/365

2009-10-07T01:51:00.000-07:00

83 - Bought Material (plastic blue fly swat), stainless steel and aluminum

82/365

2009-10-07T01:49:00.000-07:00

82 - Given Material (plastic spool given to me by my mother "Zoe could do something with that" - sorry it wasn't more inventive) and stainless steel

81/365

2009-10-07T01:47:00.000-07:00

81 - Taken Material (plastic bits that go in the bottom of glass vases) and bought finding

80/365

2009-09-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

80 - 'Incase of an emergency" - Given material (a Durex given to me from a friend, who clearly thought i needed it more than she did! ha! Thanks lady!) and Stainless Steel.

79/365

2009-09-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

79 - Found Material (plastic nozzle from a 5Lt keg of beer and the tip of a branch from a plastic pine tree) and Bought finding

78/365

2009-09-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

78 - Given Material (Florist wrapping that came from some flowers that were meant for my co-worker, but she had left for the week, so i got to take them home YAY) and stainless Steel.

77/365

2009-09-29T16:18:00.000-07:00

77 - 'last chance learner' - Found Material (the 'L' cut from a learners driving sign) and bought cameo finding.

76/365

2009-09-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

76 - "tick tock" - Reclaimed material (the second hand from a clock that my sisters gave to me on my 14th or 15th birthday, the clock finally coming to its untimely death at the hands of my flat mate and a tennis ball) and bought finding.