After finishing ‘Earring for Giovanna‘ I have moved straight onto a new body of work … based around photographs of stars and inspired by (a slight adjustment to) a phrase from a book I recently read: ‘The sky is full of ghosts‘.
Such a moving phrase … brings such images to mind …
making, step 1
…
My mum asked me to make a brooch for her sister, as a thank you gift.
I decided to use the carved perspex I created in second-year for my gold brooches, as this work was originally inspired by my grandfather (my mum’s dad). The metal I chose to use was a little rolled-out thin piece of fine and sterling silver – I thought I had only melted down all my left-over fine silver, but this piece ended up with a smattering of sterling, and I liked the pattern it made.
In second-year I had the advantage of access to a large swing-press, but in the little studio I only needed to anneal it and push the metal into the mold using some dapping punches. The ‘stitches’ are from the tip of a burnisher. It’s then rivets to a backing piece with a pin. Simple.
brooch for Gail; image not to be reproduced without permission
I hope she likes it.
The first session for ‘Lend me Your Ears’ is at Mailbox 141 until 17th March 2011.
installation #1
Above are:
installation #2
Above are:
installation #3
Above are:
installation #4
Above are:
installation #5
Above are:
installation #6
Above are:
installation #7
Above are:
installation view
I am very much looking forward to the next group of artists, showing from 18th March to 1st April 2011.
I have thoroughly enjoyed making ‘Earring for Giovanna‘ for the Part B ‘Lend me Your Ears‘ exhibition at Mailbox 141 (throughout March 2011).
When I was asked to be part of it, I didn’t have a lot of time for ideas or making … perhaps five or so weeks. This worked out well for me actually, because it meant I didn’t over-think it.
The initial description I received from Part B people was: “following a format that (curator) Dianne has used before successfully, so we’re asking for you to produce (or co-opt) a postcard and also make an earring (or two) for display in these tiny little spaces. Each artist will get a single mailbox in which to insert their postcard and piece(s)“.
Immediately I thought of the postcards I bought when I was travelling in Spain last May. The one of Giovanna was the most appealing to me.
postcard from Spain
Surprising, the design came very quickly – the first drawing in fact was the right one.
detail of design; not to be reproduced without permission
The shape of the blackened silver back-piece, and the red donut-shaped front-piece, references the button and loop on her arm sleeve. The woven component is something I just love doing, and it made sense to me as it referenced the fabric and colouring of her garments.
Earring for Giovanna; on postcard; image not to be reproduced without permission
More making ahoy …
Melbourne Jeweller 