The Pieces of Eight Workshop Group

16Sep08

Sturt Gallery

September 14 – October 19

The Pieces of Eight Workshop Group exhibits for the first time together.

The exhibition comprises of various works made by the workshop residents at Melbourne’s Pieces of Eight. The six exhibiting artists are Nina Ellis, Lucy Folk, Rachel Gorman, Melanie Katsalidis and Suzi Zutic. Pieces of Eight is an innovative gallery and workshop in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy which showcases contemporary jewellery and object based work. This is the first time these jewellers have exhibited together, and the individual methodology of each artist reveals the diversity of their approaches to making wearable work.In November this exhibition will tour to Inform Contemporary Jewellery in Christchurch, New Zealand.

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. Zutics 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.