Velvet da Vinci Gallery in San Francisco presents “Michael Brennand-Wood: Vase Attacks” and “Maybe Just One More” by Lynn Christiansen. This exhibition opens March 11, with an artists’ reception on Friday, March 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a gallery talk by Michael Brennand-Wood at 6:30.

Michael Brennand-Wood: Vase Attacks

UK-based fiber artist Michael Brennand-Wood was inspired by 1950s science fiction movie posters for his new installation, Vase Attacks. Bouquets of machine embroidered flowers and cross-culturally based designs form the vases that explode from the wall more with exuberance than violence. The patterns of color, form and dimension are very decorative but also thought provoking such as where fighter bomber butterflies swarm around a mushroom cloud of plastic toy army men. Combining fiber, plastic, metal, and wood Brennand-Wood pushes the boundaries of contemporary fiber art.

Michael Brennand-Wood exhibits internationally and his work is featured in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto and the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Vase Attacks is the largest installation of his work in the US. Brennand-Wood will give a talk about his work at the opening reception.

Lynn Christiansen: Maybe Just One More

Local jeweler Lynn Christiansen has recently assembled a mouth-watering menu of wearable food.

Statement: “Food is my obsession. My heart races, all senses heightened as I stand in a bakery or chocolate shop enveloped by the sublime smells, the exquisite beauty of assorted truffles and pastries, the anticipation of the perfect cupcake. Pure joy!

Food is my obsession. My earliest and my most vivid memories are centered on food. A dropped ice cream cone, a butterscotch candy pulled from my grandfather’s pocket, the ultimate warm cinnamon bun. First comes the memory I can taste… the perfect chocolate cake … then comes the who, where and when.

Food is my obsession. Just one more … one too many.

Food is my obsession. I wear what I eat … both in my body and on my body. To be surrounded by truffles, pastries, ice cream … pure joy!”

Christmas Showcase – Gifts of Wearable Art Exhibition
at Studio 20/17, Dank Street Galleries, Waterloo
Nov.15-Dec.20 2008
Opening drinks: Sat. Nov.15, 2008 4-6pm

Sometimes the best way to show your love is to give the gift of hand crafted. Designed for gifting to the one you love, the seductive contemporary wearable art pieces will be available at Studio 20/17 Sydney’s premiere art space, within the renowned Danks Street galleries.

The festive season for 2008 is about a return to the hand crafted, the beauty of well made design and above all individuality and personality. Through their Christmas showcase, Studio 20/17 gives you the opportunity to give a gift this year that reaches above the everyday, merging design, art and craft.

The creative haven of Studio 20/17 is run by two of Sydney’s contemporary jewellery and object makers – Bridget Kennedy and Melanie Ihnen.
Their tiny blended studio gallery and workshop pays homage to the Waterloo postcode in which it’s situated.

17 artists have been selected to display their works in this exhibition of gifts of wearable art. The artists are based in Sydney, Melbourne and Japan, and include:

Bridie Lander
Jeweller and designer whose organic forms are made using silver with semi precious crushed stones applied to the surface. The works reflect her ongoing interest in biological molecular science.

Yuji Kono
Creator of intricate, highly crafted enamel and gemstone work.

Sian Edwards
Designer of baked enamel mild steel pieces whose stories are based about the tale of Leda and the Swan.

Kimberly Williams
Her pendants, earrings and bangles reinterpret the intricate history of woven hair.

Danielle Butters
A jeweller who brings to the Studio a colourful and playful ‘lapidary club series’.

 
Bridget Kennedy
Bridget has recently completed an advanced Diploma of Jewellery and Object Design at The Design Centre where she was awarded the College Achievement Award and the Jewellery and Object Design Award (access residency). She was a finalist in the 2006 Hobart Art Prize. Bridget was most recently the winner of the Emerging Artist Category in JMGA’s Profile Exhibition.

 
Melanie Ihnen
While undertaking her Advanced Diploma in Jewellery & Object Design at the Design Centre, Enmore Melanie was awarded a Foundation for young Australian Scholarship and in 2002 she was awarded the college achievement award. Melanie has completed a residency at Pyrmont jewellery studios and received a Craft in-site grant to exhibit. Her work is placed in galleries throughout Australia and she continues to exhibit widely.

Ross Buchanan
Ross Buchanan is a photographer who tries to find via his photographs the calmness that eludes him in his full-time career as a lawyer.