Little brooch

Last year I did an evening course at NMIT – it was called Leisure Jewellery and was basically studio access for people with jewellery experience and their own project, with an experienced jeweller on hand to ask questions.

I couldn’t find the energy or time to get to all of the sessions (working fulltime in an office can mean depleted energy by 6pm), but I used what time I did spend there ‘getting my hand back in’ so to speak. A little saw-piercing and a wee bit of soldering on the fitting…

It’s not conceptual at all, it’s not really even to my taste, but it gave me something to practice on. The pattern is based on the paper I used to weave my necklace in second year.

little brooch

paper that inspired the design

Tertiary Open Days 2010

For those considering their options for studing gold and silversmithing in Melbourne in a formal tertiary-institution setting, the Open Day programmes are a useful way of getting a look at the facilities of each place of study and perhaps meeting some teaching staff and current students.

• Monash University (Caufield): 1st August 2010 [link] – though note that it was commented on a recent post that Monash did not have a first year intake for jewellery in 2010, so it would be interesting if this is the case again for 2011?
• RMIT (city): 8th August 2010 [link]
• Box Hill Tafe: 22nd August 2010 [link]
• NMIT (Fairfield) : 31st August 2010 [link]

As I’ve mentioned before, there are of course other well-known tertiary institutions for studying gold and silversmithing around Australia; these include those listed below (though I’m pretty sure there are more places to study):

• (Sydney) University of New South Wales, College of Fine Arts [link]
• (Sydney) Sydney Institute of Tafe, Design Centre Enmore [link]
• (Canberra) Australian National University [link]
• (Wagga Wagga) Charles Sturt University [link]
• (Perth) Curtin University [link]
• (Brisbane) Griffith University, Queensland College of Art [link]

Other options for learning gold and silversmithing include:

• apprenticeships
• courses offered by private schools (like Goldsmiths School in Brisbane)
• short courses – I would personally recommend NMIT short courses above CAE due to the superior facilities at NMIT, however CAE do offer a wider variety of courses for those looking to explore; these are the only two place I’ve done short courses in Melbourne, though I understand short courses are also offered at other ‘adult education’ places

I’d welcome any comments on other places to study and learn… especially if you’ve done some short courses you’d recommend to others.

NMIT Jewellery Auction 2010

As I’m holidaying in Spain – oh, I know, it’s a hard life! – my lovely friend Vetti, from Vetti Live in Northcote fame, has kindly agreed to do a guest post for me about the NMIT Jewellery Auction held on 4th May [link]; funds raised here support the graduating year students exhibition. Over to Vetti [update (12th May) photographs generously provided by the artists – thank you!!]:

The NMIT Advanced Diploma Jewellery students had some very interesting work on display at Rose Street…

Lots of beautiful pieces, these really got my attention:

Anny Apostolidis – Ofrendas Hair Comb
This sterling silver and cotton thread piece is inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead offerings, and the vibrancy of Freida Kahlo. A contemporary memento mori.

(update 12th May) photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without permission

Sophie Ferriroli – Prelude to the Belt
Stunning earrings, paying homage to 15th century armour. Intricately etched oxidised silver, gold rivets, and diamonds set by the maker. A reimagining of renaissance ironwork…

(update 12th May) photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without permission

Fatima Grant – Geometric Ring
Cast in sterling silver, reminiscent of rough hewn crystal formations.

(update 12th May) photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without permission

Emma Luke – Pendant
An oxidised sterling silver showstopper! Reminiscent of machine parts, origami and sharp Deco, this neckpiece seems poised for supersonic flight.

(update 12th May) photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without permission

Kim Russell – …or a chest to pin it on
A sleek piece, exploring the language of military decoration. This stainless steel trio is inlaid with sterling silver, and masses of mysterious appeal. Designed to be worn on sleeve or lapel for maximum effect.

(update 12th May) photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without permission

Tae Schmeisser – Neckpiece (?)
Textured and perforated metal forms, connected by fine chain and red thread. A captivating, sea-shell like arrangement…

(update 12th May) photograph used with artist permission; not to be reproduced without permission

Thank you lovely Vetti… I love your descriptions – they elicit such vibrant images in my imagination.

If anyone can point me to photographs or links for the above jewellers, or anyone involved in the auction, that would be super. Back to tapas and red wine … he he!

‘Fresh!’ @ Craft Victoria

What would the Melbourne artisan/craft scene be without Craft Victoria!

The 2009 edition of the annual ‘Fresh!‘ exhibition and awards is currently showing: ‘The freshest hand-picked works by graduates in the fields of ceramics, glass, jewellery, gold and silver-smithing, fashion, textiles, industrial and furniture design‘.

installation view; photograph taken with gallery permission

The design of the exhibition, the way the reasonably diverse elements are put together, is such that it welcomes you into the room as an observer.

I mentioned last week that Michaela Bruton from RMIT was awarded the ‘Fresh 2009’ award. Her lovely collection is below (it looks a bit pink because I don’t use flash in exhibitions… maybe I should, it’s not like I’m going to damage the metal!).

Michaela Bruton; photograph taken with gallery permission

Media states: “Fresh! surveys the creative diversity and exceptional technical skill of graduating craft and design students across Victoria. … Each year a team of invited professionals preview graduate exhibitions in over 35 departments within Tertiary and TAFE institutions across Victoria.”

There was a lot to like here, including the pieces by Mary Hackett (NMIT) and Emi Fukuda (RMIT) in the image below (left and right respectively).

photograph taken with gallery permission

A piece that surprised me was Justine Rouse’s “Tropy” (below), a huge tulle sculpture on the back wall. Its nature changes as you approach it from the front and see it from the side – it’s rather enchanting but a somewhat strange growth from the wall and its scale is impressive!

photograph taken with permission

Finally, the smaller second gallery has been turned into a fascinating field of glass spheres connected by thread, part of an installation “fold/field” by Emma Lashmar (below).

photograph taken with gallery permission

There were not many two-dimensional works, like drawing or painting, though there was one collection of photographs – which reflects my reading of the intent of the award of looking at “craft and design students“.

There are some photographs of the opening night on the Craft Victoria blog ‘clog’ here.

Have you been? What was your favourite piece?

‘Fresh!‘ is at Craft Victoria until 23rd December 2009.