The third jewellery gallery I visited while in Sydney recently was Metalab. The delightful Nina spent some time talking with me about the current exhibition, and taking me through the many drawers of works.
Designer Sushi; photograph taken with gallery permission
The current exhibition, above, was so interesting and a great idea – makers and designers were sent a small collection of items in a sushi box, and they either used them directly or for reference to create a work.
cabinets; photograph taken with gallery permission
cabinets; photograph taken with permission
The cabinets were full of treasures – my favourite piece here, and in fact of my entire visit to Sydney, is the blackened silver brooch below by Peta Kruger [her website, Metalab interview]. The Art Deco influence (almost Metropolis-like in my mind) and the hand work in the engraving is so enthralling – gorgeous! In fact, the brooch has been haunting me since I left the gallery … perhaps I should have taken it home…
Peta Kruger; at Metalab; photograph taken with gallery permission
An interesting topic Nina mentioned was that Sydney was very much an earrings and neckpiece kind of audience, which I would contrast to Melbourne having quite a strong brooch tendency. What do other makers think?
I next went to Object, but have nothing to report as the exhibition wasn’t jewellery-specific.
The last jewellery gallery for my Sydney visit was COTA (Courtesy of the Artist), the Metalab gallery in the centre of Sydney (the atmospheric Strand Arcade). I understand the store was initially a pop-up, but is shortly due to undergo a more permanent refit.
COTA; photograph taken with permission
Sydney jewellery making community – thank you for making my visit so enjoyable!
Melbourne Jeweller 
[…] about it a couple of days ago. I saw Berger’s rings in the flesh at Courtesy of the Artist (COTA) while in Sydney last year, and was amazed. They are stunning. And incredibly crafted. I was not […]