SIM LÜTTIN

It's amazing how much a place can affect you. I was reminded of this again as I breathed in deep and gazed out from the Austen Alpinelodge balcony for the second year running on New Years Eve. Whenever I visit Mt Hotham in the Victorian Alpine Ranges, it has a profound affect on me. Perhaps it's the fact that, unlike viewing a city-scape, you can gaze out so far across the mountain range and at night see a plethora of stars you never knew existed. The potential of creating th

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

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

I have decided to take the plunge and dive into social media. Admittedly, I am a reluctant participant and rather than kicking and screaming I have decided to attempt to embrace it - that is, if I can keep up. Social media, as we all know, is the latest communication phenomenon. At first I thought I would never learn to integrate it into my everyday. However, it seems unavoidable on some level, especially as an artistand arts administrator. Social media is becoming a big part

100 stories of great Australian women past to present - 100 brooches made in response by 100 of Australia's most talented women jewellers. This touring exhibition curated by Kirsten Fitzpatrick, is currently showing at JamFactory: Design and Craftsmanship in Adelaide, SA from 23 February - 5 April 2012. While I didn't make it over for the opening I have many friends, admittedly mostly jewellery or craft folk, who did. From the pics posted on Facebook it looks like the night w

In addition to making jewellery, I love good food. I recently discovered the beautiful website and food blog by Emiko Davies. An artist by trade and food lover by passion, Emiko captures the wonderful flavours of Florence, Tuscany with such vividness, describing recipes through a wonderful, personal narrative. One of the first things I read on Emiko's blog was 'Orecchiette con Broccoli: The way to a man's heart', which describes the first time she cooked for her (now) husband

I am eagerly awaiting my partner Tyson Namow's talk on Thursday night as part of a film course he has coordinated at Long Play in North Fitzroy for the Melbourne Free University (MFU). The course is Controversies on Film and will run each Thursday evening from 6.30-8.30pm. It's set to be as controversial as the title suggests. On Thursday 16 February, Tyson will present on an area and filmmaker he is very familiar with - Werner Herzog (he's just researched his non-fiction fil

Today I am very excited to officially launch my new website, designed by 3sidedsquare. I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this project with Lee and Locky, who have really captured what I was looking for in a beautiful, new and dynamic site. They have done a FABULOUS job and I can’t thank them enough. The process over the past 5 or so months was really enjoyable, especially given they’re extremely creative, easy to work with and are basically very nice guys. In addition, the

I recently took a trip up to Mt Hotham, friends in tow, to spend a few days taking in the mountain landscape over New Years from the comfort of the Austen Alpine lodge. The view was spectacular, and the weather was clear and sunny for the entire holiday. I thought about the way I seem to forget the overwhelming power of the mountains when I am back in Melbourne. I am now beginning to reflect on the fact that I am deeply connected to this place and that the mountains (and part

In December, I invited a few friends to pop in to my (new) studio in High St Northcote. This was a small gathering to view new work and clear the drawers of previous, jewellery pieces that are not found in galleries in Melbourne. I displayed the work on a retro architecture drafting table that my friend Emily gave/loaned me before she moved to Mt Isa. I painted the tabletop white, placed some beautiful flowers and plant material in the center and grouped small installations o

The end of a busy year fast approaches and it has been a constant struggle to balance my studio work with gallery and exhibitions management at Arts Project Australia, not to mention all the exhibition openings and catchups with friends and family. All things are wonderful things to be doing and at the same time they compete (in a good way) for my attention and time. And so, I cook, clean and re-arrange my artwork and crockery when I need some 'down time', as sitting still fo

2011, earrings, sterling silver, oxidised, 65 x 23 x 8mm, 1/3 Like the 'Framed Series', Time Past taps into ideas of melancholy...things that may have past or things that feel like the past. #earrings #editions #oxidised #simluttin

I can’t believe we are almost at the end of another year. I have made some one-off small pieces for Christmas shows at Pieces of Eight gallery in Russell Place, Melbourne and Zu Design in Gays Arcade, Adelaide. I have representation at both galleries, which exhibit some of the best contemporary jewellers/artists/object makers in Australia. If you haven’t visited them or their website you should. They are doing some wonderful things, including the launch by Pieces of Eight of