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It's been a fast five years since completing my Masters in Jewelry and Metalsmithing at Indiana University in America.I'm not lying when I say that not a day goes by that I don't think about this dynamic University town. Returning is like coming home. I keep describing the experience as surreal. On the one hand things seem pretty much the same - the University, the town and the myriad of students walking the streets, running or playing catch. On the other hand the University

2013 Neckpiece Recycled Australian hardwood, oil pencil, nylon & steel thread D: 330 x H: 25mm Edition 1 of 1 From the collection and exhibition 'These Moments Existed': A project exploring everyday moments with an air of ambivalence and melancholy. #contemporary #contemporaryartjewellery #craft #jewellery #melancholy #neckpiece #banner

I have just launched my first Pozible Campaign to help with my current project for my upcoming exhibition in the USA These Moments Existed.I have been working the past year on a piece-a-day project titled 'These Moments Existed'; a project exploring everyday moments with an air of ambivalence and melancholy. My goal was to create a new body of work by making something each day for a year, to exhibit at Gruwald Gallery at Indiana University in October 2013 as part of an upcomi

By my estimation, I need to get all my work done for the USA by the end of the month. I am in denial of course. Nevertheless, I continue to plough on like a mad woman having taken over my lounge room as well as my massive studio space. Come to think of it, I have also worked my way into my studio mate Nicole's space too. Such is the case when a crazy deadline looms.There is more information on the project and collection on my blog'These Moments Existed'.I guess I had better g

Like most people I love a good event, however I think I just about love throwing them more than simply attending them - especially when the event strikes a cord with the guests.In addition to creating contemporary jewellery, I run the gallery at Arts Project Australia. This role includes managing and curating exhibitions, as well as running Arts Project's leasing and gallery volunteer programs. I am also fortunate enough to manage and coordinate special events for Arts Projec

I was invited by Dr Nicole Jacquard to participate in the exhibition she's curating in the USA, "I Do. ... Do I?". It's an exhibition about relationships. Dr Jacquard says of the exhibition that, "As relationships start, evolve and in some cases end, the individuals change along with them. Using the premise of the wedding band, the traditional symbol of commitment, participating artists are asked to create a ring describe their feelings on relationships...From the beginning t

I set my sights on a new post for the New Year and share my admiration of the work of Daniel Kruger (pictured) and Julie Blyfield.There are contemporary jewellers who constantly push the envelope and who create work that constantly impresses me. Several of these artists and designers are referred to here; Julie Blyfield, Daniel Kruger, and Lucy Folk.Others are revealed by googling galleries such as Galerie Ra, Gallery Funaki and Alice Euphemia, and I encourage you to explore

It's almost February, so I've decided to up the ante with tips for five exhibitions, five galleries and five books to get your creative juices flowing and get you started for the year. After a long rejuvenating Chrissy and New Year's break, the first thing I do is set my goals for the year and plan what to do, look out for and read. I may not get around to doing all of these, but I sure like to 'plan' to do them. It's the first step towards staying on top of things for the ye

Upcoming Exhibition in October 2013. The past few months I have started to develop a new body of work that I'm creating for a solo exhibition at Grunwald Gallery of Art, Indiana University in America. I'm toying with the title "These Moments Existed" and am tempted to add "(for what they're worth)", as I'm currently thinking about the relevance of an individual's everyday experience and why we, as a current Western 'social media addicted society', choose to document these mom

I have been aware of Adelaide-based contemporary jewellerCatherine Truman for over 15 years and have followed and admired her art practice since I first became aware of her work all those years ago. There are over 100 pieces in this thoughtful solo exhibition of Truman's Some Uncertain Facts, comprising found and meticulously handcrafted objects. Some pieces you come across as you wind your way through the exhibition are functional and others are purely sculptural. Combined t

As we emerge from what seems like the longest winter ever, it's hard to know which opening to go see - there is so much happening about town this time of year. It's great to have so much choice, although too much choice can sometimes seem as frustrating as no choice at all. Hopefully, these insights will help you cut through what's on offer and give you a few things worth visiting this Spring. >> VIEW the October eNews online. >> SUBSCRIBE to receive semi-regular jewellery eN

I have three pieces that will be represented in the upcoming exhibition unnatural acts curated by Lauren Simeoni and Melinda Young at Craft this October. The collection Somewhere there exists... was first exhibited in Unnatural Acts at Velvet da Vinci in San Francisco, USA, and will feature in the second instalment at Craft (formerly Craft Victoria), opening on 18 October from 6-8pm. Other Australian artists featured in the exhibition include Anna Davern, Caz Guiney, Kath Ing

>> OPENING Thu 18 Oct from 6pm >> EXHIBITION: 19 Oct — 1 Dec 2012 Following on from a successful group exhibition in San Francisco,unnatural acts will be showcased at Craft (formerly Craft Victoria) in October 2012. Curated by Lauren Simeoni & Melinda Young, the exhibition features jewellery work that has evolved from Simeoni and Young's 'unnatural, Naturally' exhibition concept and features the work of eight Australian jewellers: Anna Davern, Caz Guiney, Kath Inglis, Bridget

>> EVENT: 2 – 5 Aug 2012 Six months in the preparation, the 2012 Melbourne Art Fair was a huge event. I co-curated Arts Project Australia's Art Fair exhibition space with Arts Project registrations coordinator Penelope Hunt, which featured the work of almost fifty emerging, mid-career and established Arts Project artists. When I am not wearing my jewellery hat, I am the gallery and exhibitions manager at Arts Project Australia, Melbourne, where we represent around 130 artists

Unexpected Pleasures is a major touring exhibition of art jewellery by important jewellers of our time. The exhibition questions what jewellery is, suggesting it's at the cusp of jewellery and design. I propose you pop down to the NGV and judge for yourself - it's a must see eye-opener. "Unexpected Pleasures looks at what we mean by jewellery from a number of different perspectives. Taking as its starting point the radical experiments of the Contemporary Jewellery Movement th

There is an exciting exhibition currently on tour in Europe, Jewellery Unleashed! Having just shown at the the Museum voor Moderne Kunst Arnhem in The Netherlands, the exhibition is about to open in Zurich at the Museum Bellerive. I have two mourning brooches in this exhibition, which features the work of over 80 international artists. Each piece in the exhibition is a one-off and "bears the unmistakable signature of the person who made it, relates to visual art, fashion and

With a little trepidation, I have decided to see how an eNews will go. I plan to start small and develop the news as I go. These are unchartered waters for me, so I want to tread carefully and while trying something new. So here it is...my first Contemporary Jewellery + Object eNews. Find out what's happening in the big, wild art jewellery world (and find out about some other cool artists and art sites!). > To access the online version click here. Read times: 792 #art #contem

It was sometime in 2010 that I purchased my first Alan Constable ceramic camera - I forget exactly when. All I remember is that I was immediately taken with the object and its wonderful form, complex glaze and quirky lean. I was surprised the camera that finally spoke to me was not one of Constable's signature SLR cameras. In fact, it's perhaps not even a camera at all. Ever since I started working at Arts Project Australia in 2008, I have yearned to own a Constable camera. S

Of all the places to be if you are a contemporary jeweller, Melbourne is in the top three cities you wish you lived in. So I count myself lucky, as I constantly see exhibitions featuring art jewellers I respect and admire. The work of artist Carlier Makigawa is no exception. Her exhibition Nature and Structure at Funaki (one of the world's top jewellery galleries) is a must see for jewellery enthusiasts. Having known of Gallery Funaki not long after it opened, I first became

When I recently visited the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, my favourite artwork was Tracing Time created by Claire Morgan. I stood still - transfixed by the beauty and stillness of this piece. A moment captured in time that was so moving and compelling to me. The image of this piece often pops back into my mind and usually when I have literally stopped and given myself space to think. It is well known that MONA explores life and death with a confronting and arguably '