Utopia/Dystopia 2070
Curated by Kevin Wilson, Artisan Gallery & Caloundra Regional Art Gallery
This exhibition at Artisan Gallery invited selected artists to respond to a piece of Australian speculative fiction. I selected the work "Agricultural Dystopia" by Melissa Ferguson and explored themes of monocultural cropping, seed sovereignty and monopolistic commercial agriculture.
Curated by Kevin Wilson, Artisan Gallery & Caloundra Regional Art Gallery
This exhibition at Artisan Gallery invited selected artists to respond to a piece of Australian speculative fiction. I selected the work "Agricultural Dystopia" by Melissa Ferguson and explored themes of monocultural cropping, seed sovereignty and monopolistic commercial agriculture.
Growing Jewellery
Ongoing works exhibited at various locations from 2011 - current
These works began while completing my honours year for my Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons) at Griffith University and I have continued exploring and developing the works over several years for multiple exhibitions and research projects. The Growing Jewellery pieces explore the intimate connections between wearers and their jewellery and how this might be leveraged to create a deeper connection with plants and our environment. Wearers must nurture the jewellery by watering it, ensuring sunlight (but not too much!) and wearing it with a level of awareness and caution. Images of selected examples below.
Ongoing works exhibited at various locations from 2011 - current
These works began while completing my honours year for my Bachelor of Fine Art (Hons) at Griffith University and I have continued exploring and developing the works over several years for multiple exhibitions and research projects. The Growing Jewellery pieces explore the intimate connections between wearers and their jewellery and how this might be leveraged to create a deeper connection with plants and our environment. Wearers must nurture the jewellery by watering it, ensuring sunlight (but not too much!) and wearing it with a level of awareness and caution. Images of selected examples below.
State of Shine
Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Queensland, Redcliffe Art Gallery
This exhibition showcased the shining and vibrant contemporary jewellery and small objects community in Queensland. The State of Shine is an exploration by twenty member artists, over two exhibitions, of what it means to design and make in Queensland. I created a series of work using timber offcuts from our Queenslander house restoration, exploring the waste and conversely reclamation intrinsic to these projects.
Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Queensland, Redcliffe Art Gallery
This exhibition showcased the shining and vibrant contemporary jewellery and small objects community in Queensland. The State of Shine is an exploration by twenty member artists, over two exhibitions, of what it means to design and make in Queensland. I created a series of work using timber offcuts from our Queenslander house restoration, exploring the waste and conversely reclamation intrinsic to these projects.
Inhabiting Space
Curated by Elizabeth Shaw, Glass House Gallery Port Macquarie
This exhibition examines how contemporary jewellers think about nature and its intersection with the built environment and humans. My second iteration of Seed Bomb Jewellery was displayed which invite wearers to become makers by using the necklaces as tools to create seed bomb necklaces. These seed bombs can be dispersed into the environment as seed banks that germinate when conditions are right.
Curated by Elizabeth Shaw, Glass House Gallery Port Macquarie
This exhibition examines how contemporary jewellers think about nature and its intersection with the built environment and humans. My second iteration of Seed Bomb Jewellery was displayed which invite wearers to become makers by using the necklaces as tools to create seed bomb necklaces. These seed bombs can be dispersed into the environment as seed banks that germinate when conditions are right.
Use
Curated by Lisa Bryan-Brown, touring group exhibition at multiple venues
This exhibition explores the selected artists responses to the tools and processes of making jewellery. My work investigates how the end-user can become a tool of the artist, both in communicating the artist’s intention and also by resolving an artwork through use. Seed Bomb Necklace consists of a pendant necklace that is actually a two-part mold, with an internal cavity that can create an endless supply of seed bomb beads. The necklace comes with instructions explaining how to make the beads and the user can then create infinite seed bomb necklaces that can be used, thrown, traded or given away.
Curated by Lisa Bryan-Brown, touring group exhibition at multiple venues
This exhibition explores the selected artists responses to the tools and processes of making jewellery. My work investigates how the end-user can become a tool of the artist, both in communicating the artist’s intention and also by resolving an artwork through use. Seed Bomb Necklace consists of a pendant necklace that is actually a two-part mold, with an internal cavity that can create an endless supply of seed bomb beads. The necklace comes with instructions explaining how to make the beads and the user can then create infinite seed bomb necklaces that can be used, thrown, traded or given away.
Radical Jewellery Makeover (RJM) Australian Editions 2006 & 2016
Delivered by Ethical Metalsmiths USA & Jewellery & Small Objects Department, Queensland College of Art
This project invites practicing jewellers and students to create new jewellery items from donated unwanted jewellery. The members of the local community who donate material are given a credit towards purchasing the re-made items. The purpose of the project is to highlight the possibilities around recycling jewellery and educate the public about the social and environmental impacts of jewellery production. You can find more information about Radical Jewelery Makeovers and the important work of Ethical Metalsmiths here.
Delivered by Ethical Metalsmiths USA & Jewellery & Small Objects Department, Queensland College of Art
This project invites practicing jewellers and students to create new jewellery items from donated unwanted jewellery. The members of the local community who donate material are given a credit towards purchasing the re-made items. The purpose of the project is to highlight the possibilities around recycling jewellery and educate the public about the social and environmental impacts of jewellery production. You can find more information about Radical Jewelery Makeovers and the important work of Ethical Metalsmiths here.
crosseXions
Curated by Beth Jackson, Metro Arts Brisbane/CrossArts Projects Sydney
This group show featured 12 Brisbane based women and transgender artists whose work explores aspects of feminism and environmentalism. 147 grams, 3 carats was developed in collaboration with several of the other exhibitors - 147 grams of precious metal and various precious gemstones were used to create a piece of jewellery in response to the wearer and then melted down and re-made into a new piece of jewellery for the next participant. Each piece tells a personal story of the wearer - and explores a delicate balance between transience, value and longevity.
Curated by Beth Jackson, Metro Arts Brisbane/CrossArts Projects Sydney
This group show featured 12 Brisbane based women and transgender artists whose work explores aspects of feminism and environmentalism. 147 grams, 3 carats was developed in collaboration with several of the other exhibitors - 147 grams of precious metal and various precious gemstones were used to create a piece of jewellery in response to the wearer and then melted down and re-made into a new piece of jewellery for the next participant. Each piece tells a personal story of the wearer - and explores a delicate balance between transience, value and longevity.
Voveo - Promise Objects for Everyday Use
Curated by Kevin Murray, City Library Melbourne
A group show featuring selected international artists which explores notions of trust, promise-making and exchange, artists created modern amulets exploring these themes. Seed Jewels are completely biodegradable wearable vessels containing soil and native flower seeds appropriate for Melbourne/Naarm. These objects were offered to the audience in exchange for the promise to carefully wear them home and then plant them and care for them.
Curated by Kevin Murray, City Library Melbourne
A group show featuring selected international artists which explores notions of trust, promise-making and exchange, artists created modern amulets exploring these themes. Seed Jewels are completely biodegradable wearable vessels containing soil and native flower seeds appropriate for Melbourne/Naarm. These objects were offered to the audience in exchange for the promise to carefully wear them home and then plant them and care for them.
