Calendar: May 2011

all month

• ‘Top Arts: VCE 2010‘, National Gallery [link]; until 19th June
• ‘Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs‘, Melbourne Museum [link]; until 6th November (as far as I can tell)

3rd May: Studio 20/17 ‘Winter Neckpieces‘ [link]; I have some pieces in this exhibition, about which I’ve written lots of posts, including this one; until 4th June

6th May: last day for applications to Toowoomba Contemporary Wearables [link]

7th May: last day for Pieces of Eight, ‘Rock Solid’ group exhibition curated by Meredith Turnbull [link]

7th May: Geelong Gallery, Robert Baines ‘Metal‘ [link]; until 3rd July

exhibition media; click on image for original source

9th May: e.g.etal, Vikki Kassioras ‘Life of Long Days‘ [link]; until 28th May

exhibition media

10th May: First Site Gallery, Claire McArdle ‘Public Displays of Attention‘; “At the opening you can try on your preferred piece and see if it attracts the right amount of attention for you. As well as having a photo with your favourite as a souvenir.” What a fabulous idea!; opening 5:30-7:30pm on 10th May; until 21st April

image courtesy of and with permission of artist

11th May: NMIT Jewellery Auction, Royal Melbourne Hotel

auction invitation; used with permission

15th May: Craft Victoria ‘Craft Hatch’ market [link]

15th May: Part B jewellers gathering [link], at Robert Baines exhibition (details above)

15th May: Abbotsford Convent ‘Skirt and Shirt Market’ [link] and Makers Market

24th May: Gallery Funaki, Kirsten Haydon ‘ice structure‘ [link]; until 18th June

exhibition media; click on image for original source

28th May: last day for Adelaide Central Gallery “SA Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition” [link]

…

plan ahead for these:

15th – 19th June: Buda Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork Exhibition 2011 [link]

July / August 2011: Powerhouse Museum (Sydney), International Lace Award [link]

… last calendar post: April 2011 …

Romy Mittelman ‘Precious Debris’ @ e.g.etal

“I want a cow bell. I’m in love with the cow bells …”

That’s what I was muttering to myself in wonder as I walked away from Romy Mittelman’s exhibition ‘Precious Debris‘ at e.g.etal.

installation; image courtesy and with permission of gallery

Exhibition media: “Romy manipulates precious metals by hand and creates organic jewellery forms that incorporate found objects such as bottle caps, beer cans, film canisters and computer chips, making permanent what was once ephemeral. It is a series of aesthetic and narrative beauty.“

Regular readers will know that I don’t readily connect with found-object work – and that’s okay, if everyone were the same it would be one very boring world! However I surprised myself with how much I liked these works – perhaps because the ‘found’ part was wholly integrated into pieces that were in themselves beautiful; or perhaps it was because the ancient / tribal references (they especially reminded me of Etruscan jewellery) resonated with me, or that the manner in which the ‘found’ piece was sympathetic with their setting…

image used with permission of gallery

The lovely rings below sat next to a most incredibly fine little gold and ruby ring that looked to me almost medieval (maybe due to the granulations). I tried it on, it wanted to come home with me (along with the bells, of course!), it took much strength to resist.

image used with permission of gallery

While found objects are a focus of this collection, it seemed to me it’s not all about that. The exhibition was kind of in two parts: the found object-based works, and the bells. I loved the bells! Some of the shapes were just stunning; especially the larger piece (in the top image) and one of the pendants… Covet-able and evocative! And there was a genuine sense of dialogue and that the two groups belonged near each other.

image used with permission of gallery

There are some more images on the handmadelife blog, the e.g.etal facebook page and the e.g.etal blog interview with Romy; and I particularly like the brief comment on Michi Girl.

‘Precious Debris‘ is at e.g.etal until 30th April 2011. [I am SO sad I didn't visit this exhibition earlier, work and holidays just distracted me.]

Update (3rd May): just a quick note to mention that I understand Romy’s work to still be in the gallery, though not on exhibition – so just ask to see them if you weren’t able to make it to see the show!

The Seeds Project: a Fundraiser for Japan

Regular readers of the wonderful Pieces of Eight blog would already be aware of this. But for everyone else, please read the below … I think this is a beautifully thoughtful and gentle fundraising project.

Information from, and reproduced with permission of, Pieces of Eight gallery.

About the Seeds Project:

One of our represented artists, the Japanese born Yuko Fujita, has been moved to create a fundraising project which would assist in helping the people of her homeland affected by the recent devastating earthquake. We are honoured to support her in this endeavour, our hearts go out to all those affected.

“As a Japanese born Jeweller, it has been heartbreaking to see what is happening in this beautiful country and to its people. I approached Pieces of Eight Gallery in Melbourne to ask if they could share sympathy for what Japan is facing. Melanie Katsalidis, (Director) who is also a lover of Japan’s rich culture and heritage, and other members in the gallery were willing to accept my small project.

I made ‘seeds’ thinking of the people in Japan who are going through a difficult time. The seed is a symbol of hope, growth and the future. In some cultures people wear seeds as protection and a respect for nature.

The seeds will be spread with the help of people here. The seeds will grow through people’s kindness, generosity, awareness and action. The seeds will help heal the deeply hurt land, life and people. The seeds will contribute to the making of a new era. The seeds are for people who believe in a brighter future. Thank you for your donation.”
Yuko Fujita

Seeds are available in exchange for a $10 donation via Pieces of Eight Gallery.
For further inquiries, call us on (03) 9497 8121.

photograph from gallery; click on image for original source

Lucky Charm fundraiser

A quick update on the Lucky Charm. Making Good Fortune Happen fundraiser for the Red Cross Foundation…

I was lucky enough to secure two pieces … which I am very excited about (of course!) and will write about another time.

As of writing this post (7pm, 27th April) almost $11k has been raised. That’s just amazing!!!

Perhaps it would be a gorgeous idea for the auction winners to share an experience of wearing their new piece … some time in the future perhaps?

Congratulations and thanks again to Natalia Milosz-Piekarska for her enthusiasm, initiative and go-get-’em attitude!

auction media

Studio goodness

Wee-hee!! I am no longer benchsitting, but am now a ‘permanent’ occupant of a studio space … so excited!

I have a new bench and am slowly getting bits and pieces together … it’s still a bit messy, but soon it will all be ready for lots of new making.

still a bit unorganised ... studio goodness!

Quick calendar update

A quick update to the calendar [information provided by and published with permission of artists]:

30th April (that’s why it can’t wait until the next calendar post!)

As a part of The First Show at the new architecture and design space Pin-up, Studio Hacienda is holding a General Assembly souvenir brooch making workshop. Blanche Tilden and Phoebe Porter invite you to select from prefabricated parts to create your very own souvenir brooch. This is a re-staging of our award winning project and is your only opportunity to create a General Assembly brooch in 2011. Watch a video of the project in action here.



Prices range from $60 – $350 and include all parts to assemble your brooch.



General Assembly Brooch making workshop


Saturday 30 April
2pm – 3pm
Pin-up - Architecture & Design Project Space
15-25 Keele Street Collingwood
If you would like to participate please contact Blanche at blanche@blanchetilden.com.au to book your place.
Hope to see you there!

Blanche and Phoebe

workshop media; used with permission

Metal prices update

Those regular news-reading-or-watching-people will know that the Australian dollar, and commodity (metal) prices, have been going pretty strongly in the most recent months. So I thought it would be interesting to see how the price of gold and silver has been going (my last price update was Dec10).

As at 21st April 2011:

1. Gold price in US$ for last 12 months

21st April 2011; gold in US$; click on image for original source

2. Gold price in A$ for last 12 months

21st April 2011; gold in US$; click on image for original source

3. A$ versus $US over the last 12 months … it’s obvious from the above charts that the cost of gold in US$ has increased dramatically in the most recent months; however it is pretty flat in A$; which is all because of the relative change in the exchange rate

x-axis = time ; y-axis = how many US$ can A$1 buy; click on image for original source

For now, it’s a good thing that we can buy gold in Australian dollars!

Lastly, silver prices are still going utterly berserk (I couldn’t find any graphs in A$, so this is in US$) – compare it to the last post less than six months ago.

21st April 2011; silver price in US$; 5 year graph; click on image for original source