RMIT Year 1, Semester 1, Jewellery #1

I thought it would be fun to look back through the projects I did during my RMIT degree. To start, naturally: first year (2004), first semester. We had three studio subjects: jewellery, silversmithing and enamelling.

First year, first semester, Jewellery, project #1: ‘Makers that matter’

This was the first project introduced (from my memory) and was actually not manual but more research, with the aim of gaining a ‘broader insight into the history of contemporary jewellery‘. We were required to put together a presentation to our classmates, accompanied with a short paper etc for assessment. I read and wrote and spoke about Donald Friedlich [Klimt02, website].

I first saw two of his brooches at the 2004 exhibition ‘A View from America’ at the Gold Treasury Museum, organised by Helen Drutt [see a story from The Age here]. It’s funny that I had entirely forgotten about this exhibition until I re-read my paper while writing this post.

Donald’s early work was in slate and semi-precious stone, then he moved into exploring glass. His work is done in series:

• Interference series
• Balance series
• Erosion series; below is one of my favourite brooches from that series
  

  Donald Friedlich, Erosion Series; photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without artist permission

  

  Donald Friedlich, Erosion Series; photograph used with artist permission; click to go through to original source

• Pattern series
• Fragment series
• Organic series
• Reflection series
• Translucence series
  

  Donald Friedlich; Translucence Series; image used with artist permission; click to go through to original source

  

  Donald Friedlich; Translucence Series; photograph used with artist permission; click to go through to original source

Since my paper in early 2004, he has continued exploring the medium of glass, with new series and some re-visiting of previous series:

• Aqua series
  

  Donald Friedlich; Aqua Series; photograph used with artist permission; click to go through to original source

• Textile series
• Magnification series

The simplicity and minimalism is most pleasing to me. I also connect strongly with the relationship Donald draws between the brooch and its place on the body on fabric (brooches are always pinned against our clothes not usually our skin), and his exploration of what that could mean with the materials he uses, such as transparent and magnifying glass.

I’ve enjoyed looking back over this assignment, and reacquainting myself with Donald’s work. Sincere thanks to Donald for his permission to use these images, and for especially sending me through an image of the brooch I love the best.