coming soon………………
LONDON 2017
flockOmania catalogues
flockOmania2 – ISBN:978-1-904839-84-2
Delighted to announce that my flockOmania catalogues are now available to purchase from Chrome Yellow Books. Chrome Yellow Books are specialists in contemporary European art and craft publications. They regularly hold bookstands at colleges and universities by appointment and participate in special events across Europe including Collect, New Designers and AFEDAP
flockOmania – ISBN:978-1-904839-78-1
For more information, contact
Sonia Collins
T +44 (0) 7815 060 166
E: info@chromeyellowbooks.com
or visit their website chromeyellowbooks.com/
Made in the Middle
Made in the Middle
Contemporary Craft from the Midlands. A Craftspace touring exhibition 2016-2018
Craftspace present a wealth of talented makers from across the Midlands. On the 2nd December 2016, Craftspace’s contemporary craft exhibition Made in the Middle, opens at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. Made in the Middle is a recurring touring exhibition of high quality contemporary craft and applied art from the Midlands. The eighth in the series, the exhibition provides a great opportunity to purchase and commission work from some of the best makers in the region. This exhibition is developed in partnership with Herbert and is part of Craftspace’s 30th anniversary programme.
Featuring both recent graduates and makers with established reputations, there is a wealth of creativity on display, including ceramics, jewellery, metalwork and textiles. Selected by an expert panel through open entry, it promotes the best of contemporary craft from makers living and working in the Midlands or with a strong recent regional connection. 28 makers have been selected by a panel of curators and craft sector specialists. The makers offer an insight into the skill, creativity and innovative practice within the region.
‘Craft is a vital source of revenue and innovation to the UK, ‘Craft generates £3.4 billion for the UK economy…150,000 people are employed in businesses driven by craft skills.’ (Crafts Council 2014). With recent changes to country’s economy we are keen to highlight and explore the value of craft both in economic terms and social contribution. Through the work and careers of the selected makers, the exhibition will explore enterprise – making as a business – through life of the sole trader . We will also build on the development of digital practices since the last exhibition.’ Emma Daker, Exhibitions and Projects Development Manager, Craftspace.
The exhibition will continue its tour to major galleries across the Midlands into 2018 raising the profile of regional makers and giving them the opportunity to sell their work to regional and national collectors. Visitors are encouraged to consider commissioning new work from local makers and a range of more affordable work will be available to buy, whether your budget is a few pounds or a thousand pounds.
Made in the Middle is a partnership between Craftspace and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in collaboration with The National Centre for Craft & Design.
Artists include: Aimee Bollu Aneta Brudkowska Anna Lorenz Chloe Smith Clare Pentlow Dauvit Alexander Emily-Kriste Wilcox Hayley Beckley Interlace Jane Littlefield John Grayson Karina Thompson Kate Mead Kay Williamson Libby Ward Melanie Tomlinson Michala Gyetvai Rachel Butlin Rachel Carter Robyn Smith Sally Collins Sandra Owens Sue Dyer Theo Wright Tim Boswell Vicky Shaw Zoe Hillyard Zoe Robertson
Exhibition dates and events:
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum: 2 December 2016 – 19 February 2017
Launch event: Thursday 1 December, 6.30- 8.30pm
Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City University: 6 March – 29 April 2017
The National Centre for Craft & Design: 13 May – 8 July 2017
Rugby Art Gallery & Museum: 10 Feb – 7 April 2018
The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP. Monday – Saturday: 10.00am – 4.00 Sunday: 12.00pm – 4.00pm
In the loupe
image by MARKmagazine.tv Photographer Justin Ridler
I’m delighted that my Subscribe series is on show at Victoria Sewart Contemporary Jewellery Gallery and in conjunction with Plymouth Art Weekender
Celebrating the director’s Victoria Sewart’s educational routes in contemporary jewellery ‘in the loupe’ brings together a vibrant collection of work created by artists, educators, researchers, and practitioners from The School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University and Plymouth College of Art and Design.
This eclectic mix of work on show spans the breadth of the jewellery discipline from commercial to contemporary, to handcrafted and digital technologies. These talented jewellers like to experiment with a variety of concepts, materials and processes and this exhibition showcases the diversity of this subject area. They are united by their curiosity for experimentation which builds knowledge and expertise within a particular specialism. It’s this variety of individual directions which underpin the educational experience for students at both institutions which ultimately drives the field forward and feeds the innovation seen in our gallery today.
Each jeweller has an established their own unique voice and the eclectic mix of work on show ranges from hyper decorative excessive ornamentation of intricate details, to bold vibrant and colourful forms. Concepts that transform thoughts and feelings, to jewellery that shocks, jewellery that is interactive and invites playful encounter, to those experimenting with material alchemy, reinventing materials and exploring cutting edge digital technologies. All of which gives you a glimpse at what’s ‘in the loupe’
Exhibitors are Claire Price, Jo Pond, Anna Lorenz, Bridie Lander, Toni Mayner, Sally Collins, Dauvit Alexander, Rachael Colley, Andrew Howard, Sian Hindle, Beaulagh Brooks, Kate Thorley, Zoe Robertson, Maria Whetman, Fern Robinson, Sybella Buttress
In the loupe is on show at
Victoria Sewart Contemporary Jewellery Gallery & School,39 Southside Street, The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LE
In the loupe then travels to the School of Jewellery in November 2016
Private view Saturday 24th September 6-8pm On until 23rd October 2016
Rather delighted that this piece from my flockOmania collection has been selected for the 9th international Fiber Art Exhibition. The following information is from the Fiber Art website
ABOUT
From Lausanne to Beijing is the International Fiber Art Exhibition in China that has seen itself developed into a well-known brand from 8 exhibitions over the past 15 years since 2000. It is now the most significant international fiber art event in China. It is proud to be truly inclusive. With great pleasure, we announce that the 9th Biennale will be held in the great city of Shenzhen, recipient of “Capital of Design Award” by the UN. We welcome all fiber artists and friends, from local and around the world to join us. We look forward to your support and participation.
GOALS
- Create a spiritual center for fiber art.
- Advance fiber art in everyday life.
- Promote international exchange of fiber art.
EXHIBITION Title, Dates & Location
Title: The 9th “From Lausanne to Beijing” International Biennale Exhibition and Exchange (Shenzhen)
Dates: September 10—26, 2016
Location: Guan Shan Yue Art Museum, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China P.R.
OPENING CEREMONY:
Time and Date: 3:00pm, September 10, 2016
Location: Guan Shan Yue Art Museum, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
HOSTS:
Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Shenzhen City of Design Promotion Office
Fiber Art Committee, China Arts & Crafts Association
ply – precarious assembly
Precarious Assembly
Delighted to be performing as part of ‘ply’ at Precarious Assembly an evening of performance and installation throughout the Whitworth Gallery 6- 9pm , Thursday 4th August 2016
For more information visit Accumulations
Ply is a a dual works production and collaborative performance with the Dual Works, Zoe Robertson and Steve Snell who will be joined by artist Sian Hindle
The Cass: Hands on
I feel rather privileged to be invited to exhibit 2 pieces of work from my current collection flockOmania as an Alumni of Sir John Cass in a forthcoming exhibition titled ‘The Cass: Hands on’ at The Aram Gallery during August 2016
Nicknamed the ‘Aldgate Bauhaus’, The Cass (The Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University) has been part of the creative landscape of east London for over 100 years. As the faculty prepares to leave Aldgate and relocate to the University’s new Islington campus, The Aram Gallery hosts an exhibition celebrating its successes and enduring legacy.
As part of the gallery’s ongoing interest in process, The Cass: Hands On will show new and experimental design at the roots, using this versatile school and its history as the focus.
Work by a range of students, alumni and staff will represent the wide variety of courses on offer, including jewellery, silversmithing, furniture upholstery, and musical-instrument making. Alongside finished products, the exhibition will also reflect the Cass’s dedication to making within its teaching philosophy. A display of hand tools and a wall of experimental ceramic studies will give a taste of the school’s workshop atmosphere.
The exhibition also anticipates the future of the Cass, with its latest generation of graduating designers included in the mix.
When + Where
4th August – 3rd September 2016
The Aram Gallery
110 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 5SG, UK
+44 (0207 557 7526)
For more information please visit The Aram Gallery
About – The Aram Gallery
The Aram Gallery is an independently curated space that encourages and promotes understanding of contemporary design.
The gallery was established in 2002 by founding curator Daniel Charny and Director Zeev Aram. Since then it has built up a strong presence and achieves increasing international attention. Until 2015, the gallery was curated by Héloïse Parke.The main objective of the gallery is to provide a space where people can discover new ideas and be inspired. “The doors are open and we welcome everybody who is interested in design to come and have a look.” Zeev Aram, Gallery Director.
The Aram Gallery is one of the leading contemporary design galleries in London, and sits on the third floor of Aram Store in Covent Garden.
a shrine to women’s work
I’m delighted to announce i have been invited to create a new piece of work for ‘a shrine to women’s work’ as part of the Accumulations research and development project showing at the Awol studio 1 – 13th August 2016
The information below is from the Accumulations website
Accumulations is a research and development project led by four North West based artists: Dani Abulhawa, Hannah Buckley, Sarah Spies and Amy Voris. Our overall aims are as follows:
- to develop a deeper understanding of female activists, artists and theorists who have influenced our creative practices
- To explore the lives and experiences of ordinary women and their contribution to the cultural landscape of Manchester
- To explore the personal significance of each of our own grandmothers, mothers and sisters to our lives
- To find methods of incorporating these findings and experiences into each of our creative practices
In order to explore these aims, we have identified four broad themes that relate directly to each of our respective artistic practices – these are, ‘gendered spaces’, ‘women’s work’, ‘archival practices’ and ‘intergenerational exchange’. We have been working to set up links with several community organisations that connect with these four themes, including the The Whitworth Art Gallery, The Pankhurst Centre, The Sacred Sounds Women’s Choir and The Working Class Movement Library.
Over the course of a year we plan to engage in activities that will allow us to explore the above aims and themes, this will include the following main activities:
- Independent and group research using museum, library and gallery collections
- Engaging with women’s groups in the city
- The creation of four events (in each community organisation)
- An evaluation day inviting everyone involved in the project
This information is from the Accumulations website
a shrine to women’s work
Amy Voris writes;
My part in the Accumulations project revolves around the subject of women’s work.
There are several strands to my research:
1 Contemplating the everyday working / playing lives of my own and others’ great-grandmothers, grandmothers and mother
2 Contextualizing my own creative work / play in light of the work of my artistic / vocational great-grandmothers, grandmothers and mothers
3 Researching into the history of women’s work in general and in Manchester in particular
women’s work
The subject of women’s work arose out of my lifelong awareness of how my life (and work) contrasts and is in conversation with the lives (and work) of my deceased grandmothers: Violet ‘Sini Wuokku’ [Kahila] Prah, Kathleen Charlotte ‘Kay’ [Clodfelter] Voris, Great Aunty Maxine ‘Max’ [Clodfelter] Callender and adopted grandma Elizabeth ‘May’ [Morley] Poulton.
As well as working as mothers and housekeepers, both of my familial grandmothers worked as secretaries. They administered the working lives of men while also taking care of children and housework. Although I think they enjoyed some aspects of their working lives, they both harbored dreams of having an alternative life as a single, ‘career woman’ and looked on the privileges of my life (with access to education, vocational choice and travel) with encouragement and with a certain amount of envy. They both were excellent typists and wrote letters and then emails to me late into their lives.
I am awe struck by the privileges of my life in comparison with my grandmothers’ lives – most particularly in relation to the work I am able to choose to do. As I move toward middle age, I feel my grandmothers’ presence intensify in my life. I have imaginary conversations with them, sometimes asking for advice, sometimes listening to their tough and awkward questions and sometimes just sharing a moment of appreciation for something beautiful or difficult. In my body I am holding a tension between past and present. I believe that this tension is a major resource for the dances that I make.
creative outcomes
As part of this research and development phase of Accumulations, I am going to have conversations with friends and collaborators about their own working lives with particular attention to the working lives of their familial and vocational mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. These folks will then be invited to make a contribution to a shrine to women’s work. The idea is that this contribution (somehow) takes its inspiration from this lineage of women’s work while also (somehow) being engaged one’s own current work or creative interests. I imagine each person’s contribution will be quite different in terms of its content and mode of presentation. In late July 2016, this shrine will be assembled at a studio space in Hope Mill – itself a site where women laboured in the textile industry in the 19th Century. The shrine will be open to the public between 1 – 13 August.
For more information visit a shrineto womens work
This exhibition is on
1 – 13 August 2016 at Studio 307
AWOL studios creative space and gallery
Hope Mill, 113 Pollard Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 7JA
Visit AWOL for more information
#MTFBerlin – Funkhaus 27-30 May 2016
flockOmania has been invited to perform at the incredible international Music Tech Fest in Berlin at the end of May. See the announcement HERE
“This year’s festival theme is Transhumanism and Music as Extension of the Human Body. It’s about pushing at the boundaries of what technology can do to transcend all supposed limitations and take human creative intelligence to new planes.”
“In the last week of May 2016, the legendary Funkhaus turns into a giant creative laboratory – a labyrinth of rooms and corridors filled with curious experiments that fuse musical performance and cutting edge technologies. Artists you know well (as well as some you should – and will very soon) team up with the scientists, makers, hackers, designers, creative developers and genius inventors to create strange machines, amazing mixtures, incredible experiences and transhuman wonders. With experiments in mindreading controllers, interactive performances, microbiology synthesisers, bionic extensions and junkyard robotics – the laboratory of #MTFBerlin is a place to explore, discover, and get involved”
‘Music as Extension of the Human Body’
“Between the 23rd and the 27th of May 2016, Zoe will join a group of specially invited artists, makers, designers and inventors to explore interactive performance and ‘Music as Extension of the Human Body’ in a secret chamber of the legendary Funkhaus. Results of this collaboration will be accessible by hackers on Friday 27th and audiences on Saturday 28th of May, during #MTFBerlin”
“Music Tech Fest is a platform that not only brings together artists and developers, but also some of the greatest academic minds working at the intersection of music and technology from across a wide range of disciplines. The MTF ‘Afterparty’ is an academic symposium that takes place on the Monday following the festival weekend – the fourth day of a three-day festival. The purpose of the symposium is to reflect on the ideas that come out of the festival, to share cutting edge research across disciplines, to further the study of music technologies and to initiate collaborative research projects”
For more information and to book tickets visit
My next solo exhibition flockOmania2 will be on show at the Parkside Gallery, part of the Faculty of the Arts, Design and Media at Birmingham City University from Monday 22nd February to Friday 1st April 2016.
flockOmania2 is a solo exhibition and installation showcasing wearable sculpture which explores the relationship between Jewellery, Dance and Performance. It was created by Zoe Robertson in response to a collaborative relationship with dance artists Dr Natalie Garrett Brown and Amy Voris. Their background in contemporary dance, movement improvisation and site based performance provided the catalyst for this body of work.
The resulting jewellery is theatrically-sized to emphasise and explore themes relating to the scale and movement of the body. In so doing this collection of work responds to kinaesthetic sensations in which the tactility, sensuality and physicality of the objects is important. The objects have been meticulously handmade using a mix of traditional craft skills in combination with industrial processes and new technology.
The installation challenges the traditional conventions of jewellery display whereby the work hangs freely in the space rather than being contained by a glass cabinet. This creates an immersive environment which encourages performativity, audience interaction and response. Whereby the space is seen as a laboratory of making in which the dance artists improvise movement and the audience is invited to interact, to touch, to play, to wear, and to explore.
During the exhibition a series of durational dance interventions will take place leading to a collaborative improvised performance bringing together sound, light, photography and film artists. Working across art forms these artists will create an atmospheric, dynamic environment within which the dancers will explore the ever- changing relationships between object, body and space.
Jewellery Artist Zoe Robertson, who is a course director at Birmingham City University, said:
“We’re excited to be launching flockOmania2 the Parkside edition at this up and coming venue for contemporary art and design. This project demonstrates the potential of collaboration between universities in the region working across a range of exciting and complementary artistic disciplines. It seeks to be interactive, challenge perceptions of jewellery and will be of interested to both the visual arts and performance”
Live improvised interventions with the dance artists will take place in the gallery between 2pm and 5pm on the following Wednesdays; 24th February, 2nd March, and 9th March.
The finale will take place on Thursday 17th March 2016 from 6 – 8pm
Beyond Jewellery: Performing the Body
A symposium to coincide with the exhibition has been arranged for Thursday March 17th 2016 ‘Beyond Jewellery: Performing the Body’ with a Keynote from internationally acclaimed Di Mainstone. The Beyond Jewellery symposium will be held at Birmingham City University, The Parkside Building.
It has been organised in conjunction with the School of Jewellery (Faculty of Arts Design and Media, Birmingham City University) and the Centre for Dance Research (C-DaRE, Coventry University). Convened by Zoe Roberson and Sian Hindle (School of Jewellery) and Dr Natalie Garrett Brown (C-DaRE).
To discover the design journey from initial concept to realisation and for more information please visit www.flockomania.com
Visit the PARKSIDE GALLERY and HERE
Not too Precious in Ireland
I’m delighted to announce Not Too Precious will be touring to the National Craft Gallery Castle Yard, Kilkenny, Ireland from 22 January 2016 – 30 March 2016. www.nationalcraftgallery.ie/exhibitions
For more info about Not Too Precious visit HERE
As part of the exhibition i will be speaking the Contemporary Jewellery Seminar and will led a 1 day masterclass – details below.
Not Too Precious: Contemporary Jewellery Seminar
Fri 11 March | 10.30am – 4.30pm
Not Too Precious brings together work by exceptional jewellery makers, who each select their materials for their expressive potential rather than for their intrinsic value. Since the late 1960s and 70s radical artist jewellers rejected the idea that jewellery should be considered ‘precious’ simply because of the materials of which it was made. Today, the use of a huge variety of materials in jewellery is far more accepted, but economic pressures are putting that freedom of artistic expression at potential risk as people revert to traditionally ‘valuable’ materials for ‘safety’. The exhibition challenges preconceptions about ‘nonprecious’ materials, encouraging us to consider ‘accrued value’: what talented makers bring to their work through their ideas and skill.
This seminar is a forum to explore the practices of some of the artist-makers presenting work in Not Too Precious, identifying the thinking behind their work and opening up discussion around themes raised in the exhibition. The seminar will consider fresh approaches to jewellery; materials used for expressive potential; imaginative approaches to interaction and wearing; innovation, lateral thinking in design process and the role or perspective of the prospective owner / wearer.
International guest speakers include: Felieke van der Leest (Holland / Norway) and Zoe Robertson (UK). Please check back here for further details over the coming weeks.
More info visit HERE
Not Too Precious: Jewellery Masterclasses
MASTERCLASSES with Felieke van der Leest / Zoe Robertson
Sat 12 March | 10.30am – 4.30pm | €25
National Craft Gallery is delighted to welcome two innovative international jewellery designers, Felieke van der Leest (Holland/Norway) and Zoe Robertson (UK), who will each led a 1 day masterclass arising from their own practices, exploring use of non precious materials in jewellery design, development and making. Both Zoe and Felieke are well recognized and exhibit internationally and will be presenting lectures at the Contemporary Jewellery Seminar at the Parade Tower on March 11th.
For more information visit HERE
Beijing International Jewelry Art Biennial 2015
I am delighted to announce that RED has been selected for the Beijing International Jewelry Art Biennial 2015
The exhibition is part of the events planned for 2015 Beijing Design Week. Themed by “Jewelry – Boundless”, this event is designed to showcase how different cultures exchange, integrate, even collide, so as to promote the development of diversified jewelry creation and provide a platform for various artistic design concepts to interact.
For more information please visit futuredesign.cn/
To find out more about RED
Organizer:
Host: Executive Committee of Beijing Design Week，Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology
Organizer: School of art & design，Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology
Co-organizer: China International Design Industry Union, Beijing Design Society, “Design” magazine
Contact:
Gao Wei, Hu Jun
E-mail: jewelryart@futuredesign.cn
Address: The Organization Committee of 2015 Beijing International Jewelry Art Biennial,Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, No.2, East Yinghua Road, North End of Heping St., Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029
I have been invited to participate JUNK: rubbish to gold and will be part of the performance on Thursday 12th November 2015
JUNK: rubbish to gold is a playful exploration of community economies (exchange, giving, bartering, gathering, earning, harvesting); putting on display the process of creating the ‘work of art’.
We will partner with charities, who will supply JUNK jewellery. During a public performance 50 jewellers will ‘gift’ their skills, (re)constructing pieces selected from a mountain of JUNK creating reimagined artworks for exhibition and then finally auction. The performance will be live-streamed on screens in the mac Birmingham and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.
Reusing is often perceived as the up-cycling of one object to another, from unwanted to desired, consumer leftovers turned into new desirable luxury consumables to buy. This reuse is the cornerstone of jewellery as a discipline, with materials shifting form to adapt to the newest fashion and trend. Yet the reimagining of one object into another is infinitely more complex than it is often portrayed.
By putting on display the entire process of creating the ‘work-of-art’ within this project; from material purchase and collection, through selection and (re)construction during the performance, then exhibition and auction, we will playfully explore ideas of exchange, bartering, gathering, earning and giving, while shifting the focus from finished object to the processes and social interactions that create of the ‘work-of-art’.
Partnering charities will supply JUNK jewellery on account. Local businesses will provide tools and equipment. The School of Jewellery will provide a venue. Performers well-established and newly emerged will come to ‘gift’ skills in a performance which will be live-streamed. The resulting pieces will be exhibited and sold via a silent auction.
JUNK: rubbish to gold aims to foster and develop multilayered networks, challenging and extending jewellery as a discipline, expanding the art jewellery audience and deepening our understanding of the impact of the arts.
PERFORMANCE
Between the 9th-13th November 2015 a performance and installation will be held at the School of Jewellery during their 125th anniversary celebrations. This involved 30 jewellers from all over UK and beyond coming to the School to turn the JUNK jewellery on display into reimagined works of art. This will be live-streamed.
Monday 9.11 – Day 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U–__TLQc_c
Tuesday 10.11 – Day 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU3fkHBryPI
Wednesday 11.11 – Day 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PvmjD_1soY
Thursday 12.11 – Day 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYvdJSTGsfU
Friday 13.11 – Day 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBhNFPSdKbE
EXHIBITION
Following the performance between he 16th-27th of November 2015 the recreated jewellery objects will be displayed at the School of Jewellery as well as online at Crafthaus. Throughout this exhibition you will have the opportunity to bid on the jewellery via silent auction. Silent Auction HERE
Information from rubbishtogold.com/
European Prize for Applied Arts
I’m delighted to announce my “Subscribe” necklace has been selected for the European Prize for Applied Arts.
The European prize for Applied Arts showcases 78 makers from 18 countries at the Grand Hall of the “Anciens Abattoirs” in Mons, Belgium. This exhibition is part of the European Craft Summit. Beyond a simple presentation of pieces of artwork, the Triennial of Applied Arts shows us the fusion of concepts and material through the dialogue that takes place between the thought, the feelings and the hand.
Exhibition from 24th October 2015 until 10th January 2016
Opening Friday 23rd October 2015 at 19.00
For more information please visit Worlds Craft Council Europe or HERE
PRESS RELEASE below from KLIMT02
European Prize for Applied Arts – Competition and Exhibition
What are applied arts in the 21st century? What is special about these hybrid disciplines, fruit of both art and technology?
Craft is inherent to the applied arts and the concepts are often used interchangeably: craft = applied art. But when you analyse both concepts – craft and applied art – more closely, it becomes clear that the one (craft) can lead to the other (applied art), and that the other (applied art) cannot exist without the one (craft). Put more simply: an applied art cannot exist that does not come from a craft, which is traditionally split up by material and how to work it, but craft and craftsmanship are much more widely usable than in just the applied arts.
So where does the applied arts place themselves?
The European Prize for Applied Arts tries to answer this question.
Beyond a simple presentation of pieces of artwork, the Triennial of Applied Arts shows us the fusion of concepts and material through the dialogue that takes place between the thought, the feelings and the hand. This hand translates thought and tames knowledge in order to understand and translate man’s relationship with the world and with the daily things.
There are no geographical boundaries for craft skills and processes. The action of making, and the outcome of a crafted object, connects cultures, communities, and generations. Handmade objects have a story. They have been touched, manipulated, hammered, thrown, blown, and carved by another human hand. They connect us both to our past, and crucially for this exhibition, they connect us to the present.
But right now, while craft and DIY are so noticeably in the limelight and while social movements can be mobilized via handcrafting, unknown chances could be waiting in the wings. The European Prize for Applied Arts could play a role here, directing instead of following, and stimulating by beating new paths.
The number of applications for the 2012 edition shows that the European Prize for Applied Arts has already come a long way in establishing itself as an important event for contemporary craft (or applied or decorative arts) in Europe.
Open: everyday (except Monday, 24, 25, 31.12.2015 and 01.01.2016) from 10h- 8h
Not Too Precious
11th July – 20th September 2015 at Ruthin Craft Centre – The Centre for Applied Arts
Jewellery by 25 international makers.
Attai Chen, Carina Chitsaz-Shoshtary, Eunmi Chun, Warwick Freeman, Emmeline Hastings, Christel van der Laan, Felieke van der Leest, Sari Liimatta, Märta Mattsson, Jasmin Matzakow, Kazumi Nagano, Shinji Nakaba, Lina Peterson, Zoe Robertson, Michihiro Sato, Mariko Sumioka, Emiko Suo, Tore Svensson, Janna Syvänoja, Mirei Takeuchi, Timothy Information Limited, Terhi Tolvanen, Catherine Truman, Flóra Vági, Heather Woof.
Not Too Precious explores inspirational work by 25 international jewellers using materials for their expressive potential rather than for their intrinsic value. Radical artist jewellers of the late 1960s and 70s vigorously rejected the idea that jewellery should be considered ‘precious’ simply because of the materials of which it was made. Today, the use of a huge variety of materials in jewellery is far more accepted, but economic pressures are putting that freedom of artistic expression at potential risk as people revert to traditionally ‘valuable’ materials for ‘safety’. Not Too Precious challenges preconceptions about ‘non-precious’ materials by encouraging us to consider ‘accrued value’: what talented makers bring to their work through their ideas and skill.
The selected artists, who currently work in the UK, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, create innovative, skilfully-made jewellery that is insightful and culturally resonant. Sometimes poignant, sometimes witty, their work communicates at many levels. It is above all honest and – for want of a better term – not too precious.
An accompanying showcase exhibition in the Retail Gallery highlights work by more recent graduates and makers coming to jewellery from other fields.
Information from Ruthin Craft Centre for more details please visit Ruthin Craft Centre
Or watch the film HERE
Or for more images click HERE
Portfolio Summer Art School 2015
27 July – 25 August 2015 You can pick and choose between 4 blocks; each 2-day block is £12.50 or attend all 4 blocks (8 workshops) for £40.
The Summer Art School is back and this year we have a ‘pick and mix’ of workshops for young people aged 14 – 18 who have a particular interest in the visual arts and would like to develop their artistic practice further.
Throughout the summer holidays Ruthin Craft Centre will be hosting 8 workshops with 4 different artists – Elly Strigner, Zoe Robertson, Anne Gibbs and Buddug Humphreys.
During these sessions the artists will share their expertise, introduce new techniques and discuss your work and ideas supporting the development of your own personal portfolio towards your Art and Design studies
3 & 4 August 11.00am – 4.00pm
http://ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/learning/talks-events-workshops/
Study Afternoon: Not Too Precious 20 September 1.00pm – 4.30pm
Join us for a special afternoon event to mark the final day of this major jewellery exhibition. Exhibiting makers will give insights into their practice, revealing the thinking and processes behind their work in ‘non-precious’ materials. Topics raised will be explored in a panel and audience discussion at the end of the afternoon.
Guest Speakers on the day will be:
Elizabeth Goring (Not too precious Curator)
Dr Elizabeth Goring has postgraduate degrees from the Universities of Birmingham and London, where her research focused on ancient gold work. She has had a longstanding interest in the social, cultural and political significance of jewellery of all periods. She worked at the National Museums of Scotland for many years, where she held several curatorial and management posts including Curator of Modern Jewellery and Deputy Project Director: Museum of Scotland Project. Although her specialist expertise lies within jewellery and metalwork, she has a wide-ranging knowledge of, and interest in, other areas of craft.
Gregory Parsons (Not too precious Curator)
Gregory Parsons graduated from the Royal College of Art with An MA in Constructed Textiles. He has lectured widely including at Glasgow School of Art, Central Saint Martins and University of Brighton. He has worked for the Crafts Council; as both interior and fashion fabric designer in Switzerland and India; as senior Product Developer/Design in soft accessories at Burberry; and most recently product development consultant for the British luxury brand Halcyon Days, and as freelance exhibition curator and retail consultant.
Zoe Robertson (Jeweller)
Award winning jewellery artist Zoe Robertson is a practice-based researcher at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. Her current studio practice explores the notion of Jewellery and Performance, in which the relationship between the object, the body and space is explored. Her work is exhibited within the international arena and recent accolades include being awarded an Honorable Mention at the Cominelli Foundation’s International Competition for Contemporary Jewellery 2012(Italy), as well as being selected for the European Prize for Applied Arts (Belgium) and the ITAMI International Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition (Japan).
Timothy Carson | Timothy Information Limited (Jeweller)
Timothy Information Limited aka Tim Carson is co-founder of Timothy Information Limited. He has been making jewellery for 25 years in a Portakabin in Catford, London, and then a shed in Penge, London. He has shown work to bemused and polite audiences all over the world. Timothy Information Limited has been academic for 20 years. Presently, he lectures on the BA Jewellery programme at Middlesex University. Timothy Information Limited claims to be a Punk and also claims that the jewellery he makes is Punk. Other people don’t think he is a Punk or that his jewellery is Punk. So what is Punk jewellery and what materials do Punks use in their work?
Felieke van der Leest (Jeweller)
The work of Dutch jewellery and object artist Felieke van der Leest expresses the very special affection that she has for animals. She combines techniques used in textile work, such as crochet, with precious metals and plastic toy animals.
Within the international art jewellery scene she has developed her own special language with which she narrates intelligent and witty stories about and with her animal protagonists; her pieces inevitably conjure a smile upon the faces of those who view them. Characteristic for Van der Leest is the joy in her work, which is ever present. Van der Leest also describes her work: ‘Whenever I work with colour, I feel like a painter; whenever I work with metal, I feel like an architect, and whenever I work with toys, I feel like a child.’ However, serious themes in her work are also expressed, including environmental protection and human approaches to animals.
Janet Hinchliffe McCutcheon (jeweller)
Janet is a jewellery artist based at Platform Arts Studios Middlesbrough. Throughout her career she has exhibited widely in UK and international galleries and fairs and she is represented by Contemporary Applied Arts London. She is completing a two year Residency at Teesside University and mima with a focus upon promoting the new Gallery at mima to display their International Jewellery Collection. Janet has known the collection from when it started in the early 1980’s and with her colleague Gemma Draper is working on a Teesside University funded research project to investigate and record its early years.
flockOmania is a solo exhibition created by jewellery artist Zoe Robertson currently on show at the Lanchester Gallery, part of Coventry University from Monday 19th January 2015 and closes on Thursday 19th February 2015.
The exhibition features wearable objects which explore the notion of Jewellery and Performance and has been generated in response to a collaborative relationship with dance artists Dr Natalie Garrett Brown and Amy Voris.
The dance artist’s background in contemporary dance, movement improvisation and site based performance has provided the catalyst for this body of work. Whereby the design process has been led by a sustained dialogue and observations of this practice. In so doing this collection of work responds to kinaesthetic sensations in which the tactility, sensuality and physicality of the objects is important.
The resulting wearable objects have been meticulously handmade using a mix of traditional craft skills in combination with industrial processes and new technology and are theatrically-sized to emphasise and explore themes relating to the scale and movement of the body.
Jewellery Artist Zoe Robertson, who is a course director at Birmingham City University, said:
“We’re excited to be launching flockOmania and look forward to welcoming visitors into a dynamic environment where jewellery meets performance and the visual landscape is constantly shifting to offer something new”
Dr Natalie Garrett Brown, principal lecturer in dance at Coventry University, said:
“The Lanchester Gallery’s city centre location is an excellent venue for this exhibition which seeks to be interactive and open to those interested in both the visual arts and performance. This project demonstrates the potential of collaboration between universities in the region working across a range of exciting and complementary artistic disciplines.”
Overall the exhibition will challenge the traditional display of jewellery whereby the work will hang freely in the space and not be typically displayed behind glass. The space will be seen as a laboratory of making in which the dance artists will improvise movement and the audience will be invited to interact with the work on show.
The exhibition will close with a collaborative improvised performance bringing together sound, light, photography and film artists. Working across art forms these artists will create an atmospheric, dynamic environment within which the dancers will explore the ever- changing relationships between object, body and space. The finale closing event will take place on Thursday 19th February 2015 from 6 – 8pm and will be followed by an Artists’ discussion
To discover the design journey from initial concept to realisation and for more information please visit www.flockomania.com
Photo Credits: Christian Kipp
PRESS RELEASE: Courtesy of Coventry University
Lanchester Gallery
The Hub
Jordan Well
Coventry
CV1 5QT
Coventry University: Telephone: +44 (0) 24 7688 7831
30 Years In The Making 24 October – 22 November 2014
Lesley Craze Gallery will celebrate it’s 30th anniversary this October. To mark this momentous event the exhibition 30 Years in the Making will celebrate the talent and diversity in contemporary jewellery and metalsmithing by bringing together over 100 artists that have exhibited at the gallery over the last 30 years. Each artist will show two pieces; one piece from early in their career and one new piece.
This exhibition will showcase the development of contemporary jewellery and silversmithing, encompassing a vast array of materials, styles and techniques from 1984 – 2014.
exhibitors:
Jane Adam Vicki Ambery-Smith Julie Arkell Gijs Bakker Donna Barry Michael Becker Michael Berger Margaret Bolton Michael Bolton Elizabeth Bone Myia Bonner Stephen Bottomley Nina Bukvic Isabelle Busnel Shimara Carlow Sonia Cheadle Norman Cherry Min-Ji Cho Tania Clarke Hall Scarlett Cohen French Angela Cork Elaine Cox Alan Craxford Susan Cross Charlotte De Syllas Rebecca de Quin Tine De Ruysser Karen-Ann Dicken Jenny Dean Ute Decker Joël Degen Paul Derrez Mikala Djorup Carla Edwards Iris Eichenberg Dorothy Erickson Alison Evans Niklas Evje Emma Farnworth Anne Finlay Gerda Flöckinger Nora Fok Marianne Forest Pauline Gainsbury Anna Gordon Jennifer Gray Jed Green Michelle Griffiths Katy Hackney Grace Hamilton Maria Hanson Emmeline Hastings Jo Hayes Ward Maria Hees Anke Hennig Herman Hermsen Dorothy Hogg Ulla Hörnfeldt Helen Carnac Prudence Horrocks Susan Horth Polly Horwich Christine Houghton Philip Hughes Katzie Hughes Yoko Izawa Nuala Jamison Beppe Kessler Gail Klevan Chris Knight Josef Koppmann Daphne Krinos Momoko Kumai Hannah Louise Lamb Beth Legg Sarah Lindsay Nel Linssen Salome Lippuner Esther Lord Jane Macintosh Amy C Mackay Alison Macleod Shimell & Madden Ptolemy Mann Catherine Mannheim Kathryn Marchbank Drew Markou Jeremy May Märta Mattsson Heather McDermott Sheila McDonald Naomi Mcintosh Marlene Mckibbin Maria Militsi Louise Miller Jacqueline Mina Noon Mitchelhill John Moore Grainne Morton Delphine Nardin Jill Newbrook Mark Nuell Nabla Pall Betty Pepper Felicity Peters Ruudt Peters Lina Peterson Martyn Pugh Wendy Ramshaw Geoff Roberts Zoe Robertson Kaz Robertson Kamilla Ruberg Philip Sajet Michihiro Sato Anne Selby Jane Short Sophie Stamp Heather Stowell Lesley Strickland Mariko Sumioka Joanne Thompson Ruth Tomlinson Maud Traon Giedre Vadeike Felieke van der Leest Ami Victoria Pepper Frances Wadsworth-Jones Claudia Westhaus Malin Winberg
For more information visit:
Lesley Craze Gallery, 34 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DU
www.lesleycrazegallery.co.uk
info@lesleycrazegallery.co.uk
PRESS RELEASE: Courtesy of the Lesley Craze Gallery
Collect: For its 11th edition, COLLECT 2014 once again presents a select offering of museum-quality works from the very best international artists in ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles, wood, furniture, silverandfine metal work. Alongside its participant galleries, COLLECT continues to be at the centre of the ever-growing market for collectible contemporary objects, and has cemented its position as the best place to viewandbuy contemporary craft.A key exhibition on London’s arts calendar, COLLECT is an important sourcing ground for museum curators and discerning collectors. Each object is carefully vetted and a requirement for each gallery to show at least 15% new work ensures the fair remains at the forefront of developments in each field. For 2014, the 37 galleries – a 15% increase on last year – are working on strong curatorial themes and unique offerings, bringing together an impressive crop of new and established talent from across the world.Galvanize Sheffield and Yorkshire Artspace in collaboration with the Harley Gallery (UK) are taking seven artists to COLLECT. The selected silversmiths and jewellers include Cameron Maxfield, Maria Hanson, Charlotte Tollyfield, Alison Counsell, Jessica Turrell, Lina Peterson and Zoe Robertson.
Neil MacDonald, Chair of Galvanize says: “Being exhibited at COLLECT is an achievement in itself for our artists. They are being given a place on a prestigious international stage from which to showcase their talent, to sell their work and present Sheffield to the world.”
Galvanize Sheffield: Is a partnership of organisations celebrating contemporary metal design and innovation, showcasing Sheffield’s thriving metal trades and traditions. Sheffield is synonymous with steel production and the metal trades. Famed for its production of steel, heavy engineering that shaped the world and fine cutlery, it is a city of endeavour, creativity and craftsmanship. Metal skills thrive here today through a community of silversmiths and designers who create beautiful and innovative contemporary designs in metal and through the manufacturing of metal products in the city. Galvanize is a celebration of the past, present and future of all things metal. It is an affirmation that investing in skills and innovation will ensure that beautiful objects, practical tools and powerful products continue to be made in Sheffield and appreciated around the world.
Funding partners: Arts Council England, The 100 Club, Sheffield International Forgemasters, AESSEAL, Macalloy, Made in Sheffield, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield
Assay Office, The J G Graves Trust, The Lord Mayor’s Office, Sheffield City Council. With special thanks to Outokumpu Stainless Ltd and Ancon Building Products for advice, support and materials.
For more information please visit Galvanize plus Zoe’s makers profile
COLLECT: The leading international art fair for contemporary objects, returns to the Saatchi Gallery in 2014 with an impressive roster of 37 international galleries, alongside seven Project Space artists.This showcase of excellence will feature contemporary objects for sale from over 400 artists, ranging from ceramics and glassware to jewellery and woodwork, cementing COLLECT 2014 as the place to view and collect museum-quality contemporary craft. The fair appeals to established and new collectors alike and acts as a perfect springboard to start cross-collecting. COLLECT was launched by the Crafts Council in London in 2004 and has since established itself as the leading international art fair for museum-quality contemporary craft, attracting both private and institutional collectors – the V&A, the British Museum, the National Museum of Scotland, the Mint Museum, USA, and the National Museum of Decorative Arts, Norway, to name a few – looking to buy exemplary work from leading artists from around the world. Prices start at £500, rising into the thousands.
For more information please visit Collect
Captions for the last first two photographs above;
Zoe Robertson showing with Galvanise Sheffield at COLLECT14 – Photograph by Sophie Mutevelian
PRESS RELEASE: Courtesy of Galvanise Sheffield
INTIMATELY CONNECTED aims to reveal the exploration of design and creativeness in contemporary jewellery making today; from applied, decorative, commercial or industrialised designs, the selection of works will help amateurs and collectors alike explore this unique and highly skilled art genre. This exhibition will aim to educate, inform and encourage the public to see a cross section of emerging and established artists from Australia and around the world.
Jewellery art like many other forms of fine art has the intention to express a sophisticated and well-developed concept or narrative through its display and materials. Artists investigate different topics to create individual pieces covering a broad spectrum of ideas and motivations; a piece of contemporary jewellery has the ability to take on the role of adornment with charisma, class and presence.
There are many types of Jewellery art that resonate with each of us. Whether you receive it from past generations, receive it as a gift or buy it yourself it is something that becomes self-reflective and transformative. The street is the home of popular culture; it is a place where people can shape and display their identity, attributes and personality while developing their own character. This can be done through piercings, tattoos, luxury jewellery or braided friendship bracelets. It has always had an immense capacity to interact with audiences and it becomes a part of our cultural existence.
Our body and the world also represent a fundamental quest for originality. The body has addressed adornment since the beginning of time, and the focus for contemporary jewellery to lead into the exploration of new parts of the body is a new platform that is challenging and artistically appropriate. Our bodies become the display of contemporary representation, whether it is the glittering commodities of gold, silver, diamonds, jewels or pearls it can also be the everyday materials of metal, rope, leather, bones and chains.
Jewellery is often used as a form of self-expression it can draw attention to sexuality or enhance beauty, show off wealth, signal status and project power but wearing a work of art can also have an emotional meaning. The way the object is touched, worn or experienced in a sense becomes part of the conversation, unique in design and beautifully created.
Information above from .M Contemporary intimately-connected and online Catalogue
.M Contemporary
37 Ocean Street,
Woollahra, Sydney
NSW Australia 2025
Phone: 02 9328 0922
contact@mcontemp.com
PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS
Image courtesy of .M Contemporary Gallery and markmagazine.tv
Photographed by Justin Ridler.
Styled by mark Vassallo.
Hair and make up Gavin Anesbury.
Model Gem at Work Models.
Photographed at Sun Studio’s Sydney.
PRESS RELEASE: Courtesy of .M Contemporary Gallery
Play for Display at Gallery Four (Gothenburg,Sweden) has been transformed into a gigantic jewellery box filled to the brim with adventurous art. Prepare to get physical with the unexpected, the hard-to-wear, the intimate and the breathtaking.
The exhibition is a part of GIBCA Extended, a satellite program in conjunction with Göteborg International Biennal for Contemporary Art.
The exhibition is curated by Sanna Svedestedt & Karin Roy Andersson / Diagonal. They selected 24 artists from 13 countries for the exhibition. The artists have their view on how their jewellery will affect the wearer. During the exhibition you will be encouraged to try on the pieces art pieces and explore what kind of feelings or associations the jewellery evokes.
Play for Display is presented in conjunction with the Göteborg International Biennial for Contemporary Art, GIBCA as a part of the satellite program GIBCA Extended.
This year GIBCA has initiated a satellite program to include arenas and practitioners in the Contemporary Art field. The satellite program is called GIBCA Extended and will show artistic practices and productions inspired by the thematics for GIBCA 2013: Play! Recapturing the Radical Imagination.
Artists: Bas Bouman, Carole Deltenre, Cristina Dias, Danni Schwaag, Emelie Westerlund, Helena Sandström, Jana Graf, Karen Vanmol, Kellie Riggs, Lital Mendel, Linda Savineau, Madalina Stoica, María Carelli, Marina Zachou, Marion Delarue, Marlene Beyer, Masako Hamaguchi, Mia Maljojoki, Ria Lins, Ricarda Wolf, Sandra Tamborini, Sofia Björkman, Yang Ziyi, Zoe Robertson
For more information please visit GALLERY FOUR and Diagonal Projects
