With this show Gallery Funaki launches its “series of occasional, week-long shows collectively titled PROJECT: These short exhibitions explore collaborations, new enquiries and multidisciplinary approaches, and seek connections with artists from outside the jewellery field who engage with the body as a platform for their practice.“
This is “PROJECT: Jewellery for T-shirts“, a collaboration between Helen Britton (of my lust-list fame) and Justine McKnight.
photograph taken with gallery permission
It was quite something to walk into Funaki and see it exhibiting objects so different from previous visits. The garments were beautifully serene, elegant, and sometimes gently animated by the zephyr through the open door. Being in a (familiar) gallery setting put me in the mindset of viewing them as works of art, more than simply clothes.
Exhibition media: “We’re intrigued by the interplay between clothing and jewellery. The physicality of one influences the other as we work with the weight of cloth or metal, the size and shape of elements, the texture of a surface or an edge. Then there’s the content: deconstruction, process, mark, gesture, structure and materiality. Transience. The forms react to one other, not only through the making process, but finally on the body as well: arranging, rearranging, each movement suggesting new possibilities.”
photograph taken with gallery permission
It dawned on me – why don’t we makers do this more often? Make jewellery in response to specific garments? I know it’s done for fashion collections, presented in shows and such. And I imagine of course for high-end ensembles. What about our everyday favourite items? Why shouldn’t your favourite t-shirt have its own custom designed brooch (especially positioned of course) or neckpiece? [Or does everyone do this and no-one told me?!]
I love this idea; and I very much enjoyed the beauty of the outcome. The sympathy and understanding between the two makers is obvious.
The combination at the front of the above image is the most striking. Though it is closely rivaled by the one at the back of this row, with the black marks scattering across the body and a gorgeous brooch worn on the upper left.
I think it’s super that Gallery Funaki have introduced these mini-exhibitions – little forays into perhaps more adventurous arenas, giving the gallery and its visitors some wriggle-room to experiment and play and perhaps even take a risk. I do look forward to the next one.
‘PROJECT: Jewellery for T-shirts‘ is at Gallery Funaki until this Saturday 8th February.
Melbourne Jeweller 