Metalcyberspace – Contemporary Jewellery Design + Modern Studio Jewelry

Opening Night Tues Nov 25th, from 5pm

Inform Contemporary Jewellery
158 High St
Christchurch, New Zealand
Until Dec 13th, 2008

This year, for the very first time, the group of jewellers working at the Pieces of Eight studio have been exhibiting together. The exhibition was recently held at Sturt Gallery in Mittagong, NSW and has now travelled to Inform Contemporary Jewellery, Christchurch New Zealand where it will open this coming Tues 25th Nov from 5pm. The exhibition comprises various works made by the workshop residents at Melbourne’s Pieces of Eight Gallery; Nina Ellis, Lucy Folk, Rachel Gorman, Melanie Katsalidis, Krista McRae and Suzi Zutic.

The individual methodology of each artist reveals the diversity of their approaches. For Ellis, it is related to the hardy weeds of the Australian landscape; manifested in blackened steel, silver and sprays of colour. Folk, immerses herself in the colour and pleasures that food inspires, creating a range of delights in joyful ways.

Both Gorman and Katsalidis utilise materials in unconventional ways. Gorman employs ceramic, metal and paint to re-create versions of costume jewellery; playful and colourful. While Katsalidis turns to the beautiful nature of organic pearls, particularly black pearls to assert a contemporary vision of modern day glamour.

In the work of McRae and Zutic, a certain romance exists. McRae draws on the sublimeness of shapes; oxidised silver, set with tiny dark blue sapphires that sparkle like stars. Zutic’s ring series (modelled in wax and set with petite gems) have a timeless quality, like they could have been exposed in the uncovering of an ancient roman dig.

Inform gallery hours: Mon to Fri, 10.30 – 5pm and Sat 10.30 – 4pm. Ph +64 3 366 3893