2020 - CLASPED (ONLINE EXHIBITION)
Exhibiting Artists: Carolyn Butler-White, Kate Hunter, Katherine Grocott, Kylie Keates, Sinead Buckney and Tina Horton.
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CAROLYN BUTLER-WHITE
BIO
My jewellery making journey began about 15 years ago in Hong Kong where, on Saturday mornings, I attended silversmithing classes. In these classes, I also learned beading, wirework and Chinese knotting. As I learned new techniques, I soon fell in love with the processes involved in experimenting and creating. On returning to Australia in 2012, I continued to pursue my jewellery making interests through weekend and holiday courses. At the BIA (Brisbane Institute of Art) I attended short courses in various jewellery making techniques. I also attended metal sculpture classes at this institute and although I thoroughly enjoyed them, I realised my preference for working on small scale pieces. As well as attending the BIA, I also took jewellery making courses at Toowoomba’s Cobb & Co Museum and at the 2018 USQ McGregor Summer Arts Retreat. Currently, I enjoy working with copper, brass and silver, creating shapes and surfaces through experimentation rather than prescription. Thanks go to all of my teachers thus far. With so much more to learn, I look forward to continuing my journey of discovery. STATEMENT This bangle represents the natural world encircling me as I look out through my windows. The surface texture refers to the beautiful native grasses, the tall eucalyptus trees and the soft passing clouds. WORKS Look Out (2020) Bangle diameter - 6.5cm. Bangle band width– 2.5cm. Sterling silver. NFS CONTACT Instagram: @carolynb Facebook: @carolyn.butlerwhite |
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KATE HUNTER
BIO
I live on the edge of a tidal mangrove estuary and love quietly watching all the little creatures going about their existence. My observations of these fragile existences drive an ecological narrative in my work. Making for me celebrates the details in life and my fascination with the connectedness of the wearer. The transformative magic of jewellery. I have a Bachelor of Design in Jewellery and Metalsmithing and make in sterling silver, copper, brass and bronze, with accents of gold. I really enjoy all different sorts of materials and how they can be combined. I love the challenge of exploring new materials and how I can use them in my work to convey my ideas. I am currently experimenting with embedding into concrete, cold connecting aluminium, surface treatments of reticulation and fusing. I also like the sleek industrial finish of powder coating. I construct each piece by hand. I enjoy this methodic process of exploring my ideas in metals and other materials. I often work in series to investigate an idea thoroughly. STATEMENT Winter is mild in Cairns and I find myself draping fabric around me for warmth, be it a scarf, sarong or heavier cotton, rather than a jacket or a jumper. In an ode to my ancestors I wanted to make a clasp, not just a brooch, to convert my wrap into a cloak. The Daisy Clasp does just that. Hand fabricated in brass with stainless steel pins. WORKS Daisy Clasp (2020) 5.5 cm x 6 cm Brass and stainless steel. NFS CONTACT Instagram: @khdjewellery |
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KATHERINE GROCOTT
BIO
I have been interested in jewellery design since she took it as a minor subject in her Fashion Degree. I took the plunge to focus on jewellery design in 2014. My work is quite visually strong and graphic featuring clean lines and contemporary, modern design. I appreciate minimalism and this features prominently in her work. Over the years, my commitment to environmental sustainability has influenced my design process. Recycled and found objects feature in my work, and I source recycled metals as much as possible. The materials I use are varied, including silver and titanium, acrylic, plexiglass and plastic. Gemstones are a new addition to my repertoire. In terms of found objects, I have made jewellery utilising x-rays, vintage serving platters, plastic tubing, tea infusers, venetian blinds, and perfume sample bottles amongst other materials. I believe that jewellery offers a perspective of the wearer, an opportunity to express oneself. Jewellery can be an expression of creativity, with both the wearer and the maker gaining pleasure from a piece. A piece of jewellery can tell a story or act as a memory. Jewellery can also be a wonderful conversation starter. STATEMENT I made this necklet to match a ring I had designed in a Kinetic workshop. I wanted to keep the red beads as a feature, but echo the lines and feel of the ring. The hanging mechanism needed to be simple and uncomplicated. The clasp was the interesting design problem to be solved. While riveting the beads in place was easy, figuring out an unobtrusive clasp that, hopefully, would be practically invisible, took far more time. The solution was a saw pierced keyhole, combined with wire finished with a flat disk to secure it in place. A second disk was added to the opposite side for balance. WORKS Red Bead Necklet (2018) 13 x 14 x 1 cm Sterling Silver, Recycled Red Glass Beads. NFS CONTACT Instagram: @katherinegrocott Facebook: Katherine Grocott |
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KYLIE KEATES
BIO
In 2016, I founded Biografi Design as a contemporary outlet for my work, taking its inspiration from nature, my surround sings, and life’s stories along with modern design from the 60s to today. Pieces inspired by the timeless elegance of the 1920s and 30s cannot be ruled out either. Completely moved by the works of Vivianna Torun (Swedish), I travelled to Biot, where Torun had lived and created for several years. Biot is a hilltop community of artisans, overlooking the Mediterranean in the Alpes-Maritimes department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France and I cannot wait to return and commune there! I am a Brisbane-based metalsmith, specialising in sterling silver jewellery and objects often set with semi-precious stones in either raw/rough, polished, or faceted form. I also work in copper, brass and occasionally gold. Metalsmithing has been a surprising but most welcome new adventure after more than 30 years spent in spreadsheets and databases. Having a piece of jewellery or an object handmade as part of an experience, a memory, or a celebration resonates strongly with me. The experience may be an event, memories of a loved one, or good times shared, or anything that allows you feel emotion when it is worn or even just admired. Being asked to work on commissioned pieces is an absolute privilege especially when re-purposing treasured elements from the past. STATEMENT The textures, shapes, and hues of the gorgeous green goodness that springs from the earth are mesmerizing and inspiring to me. It was only a matter of time before they worked their way into my studio. The Green Muse necklace is a collection of polished aventurine beads on sterling silver cable and featured amongst a tumble of sterling silver loops/links of varied sizes, thicknesses and textures. The necklace is secured with a handmade box clasp, flanked by more glossy, green aventurine. Whether clasping and unclasping the necklace, or feeling the smooth coolness of the aventurine, or the movement of the rings in the chain components, interacting with this piece is meditative. The clasp started as a flat sheet of sterling silver before being scored, folded, and soldered into that classic box shape. The insert or tongue for the box clasp functions securely because another piece of metal has been tensioned through being work-hardened. The process of making like this is addictive. WORKS Green Muse (2020) 65 cm Sterling silver and aventurine. NFS CONTACT Instagram: @biografidesign Facebook: Biografi design |
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SINEAD BUCKNEY
BIO
I studied my jewellery design degree in my home town of Dundee, Scotland, graduating in 2005. I first came to Australia in 2007 and have since lived in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for several years before returning to Australia in 2017. My linear designs show influences of Scottish Celtic designs and ornate Asian traditional designs. Line, open and repeating shapes are a recurring theme in my work. I sketch simple linear ideas then quickly move into metal, preferring to design and play with the silver and how it moves. Studying Gemmology further ignited my passion for the beautiful unusual and natural gemstones I was then able to collect on my travels. Sustainability is a central part of my life and work, I am always considering the lifetime of a piece. I believe in buying less, but buying quality pieces you love and looking after what you have. Educating people on how to fix and look after what they have and buying better to begin with. Jewellery is for expressing ourselves, telling our stories, and remembering special moments. No matter what the piece, jewellery always has meaning and a story to the wearer. STATEMENT A large cabochon Rainbow moonstone becomes the feature part of the clasp in this necklace. The Moonstone goes through the loop, lining up where the small triangles on the reverse meet. You then twist the two sides apart to lock the clasp together. The two parts of the clasp form the completed design of the piece. The piece can be worn in a couple of different ways if desired, such as a lariat or with the wire detail on different angles, changing the design. The open design on the back allows the Moonstone to be seen on the reverse also. WORKS Moonstone Wings Necklace (2020) Clasp 3.5cm x 2cm Sterling silver, Rainbow Moonstone, Chalcedony and Aquamarine beads, beading wire. NFS CONTACT Instagram: @sineadbuckney Facebook: sineadbuckneyjewellery |
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TINA HORTON
BIO
A born and breed Queenslander, my jewellery studio is currently set on acreage overlooking the beautiful Moreton Bay. I like to think of my style as naturally organic, I draw much of my inspiration from nature and as such endeavour to ensure all of my work practices are sustainable. Nearly all my pieces have organic cast elements to them, I am truly fascinated by this process as it allows me to keep my practices sustainable. What I love most about organic casting is that no matter what you do every piece is as unique as a fingerprint. I love creating pieces that have a story, a history, pieces that allows the viewer/wearer to perceive the piece however it has meaning to them. I like to keep it real, keep it ethical, keep it sustainable and keep it as unique as you are! WORKS Seeds of Life (2020) 5cm x 6.7cm x 6.8cm Sterling Silver. NFS CONTACT Instagram: @tlhinspired Facebook: @tlhinspired |
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