vicky saragouda design

COLLECT 2012 - Contemporary Craft

COLLECT is not all about contemporary jewellery. Skilful designer-makers who work with wood, precious metals, textiles, glass, bamboo, ceramics and paper are represented in the International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects. In the Project Space there are on display experimental installations by individual makers. I found particularly striking “The Rhizome Chair” by Crook & Jones and “The Cloud Leopard” paper sculpture by papercut artist Nahoko Kojima. Beautiful also ceramics by Merete Rasmussen as seen at The Contemporary Applied Arts and silver objects by silversmith Ja-kyung Shin represented by Galerie Rosemarie Jäger.

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Visiting the show it’s not only about the artefacts. Most of the times it is a good opportunity to meet the artists and curators and listen to them explaining about their practice and their research. I found inspirational talking to Giovanni Corvaja at Adrian Sassoon gallery, a real craftsman who employs experimental techniques into his practice and makes extraordinary jewellery and Carolive Van Hoek at the Caroline Van Hoek gallery, who represents great artists in contemporary jewellery.

COLLECT 2012 @ The Saatchi Gallery

Last weekend visitors enjoyed a magnificent display of contemporary jewellery at The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects organised by the Crafts Council. At the COLLECT show were present more than 30 UK and international galleries representing brilliant designers-makers. I have been particularly impressed by the exquisite work of contemporary art jewellers as seen at Galerie Marzee, Galleri Format, Galerie Ra, Galerie Rob Koudijs and Galerie Louise Smit to name but a few. I also found very interesting and enlightening the talk on “Collecting Contemporary Jewellery” by Joanna Hardy as well as the booth talk by Réka Fekete on her work at Galerie Louise Smit.

“Recycle Runway” - Nancy Judd

Upcycled outfits and accessories made of discarded materials such as recycled office paper, aluminium soft drink cans, police tape used in crime scenes, salvaged nails from building sites to name but a few. Artist and environmental educator Nancy Judd transforms this recycled material into couture with patience and copious working hours. Her work is currently on exhibition at Atlanta International Airport.

Images source: ecouterre

Helen Britton - Industrial 2

In the middle of Brick Lane there is a small gallery, where great things happen in contemporary jewellery. At Gallery S O there is currently a solo exhibition of Australian Jewellery Artist Helen Britton. On display there are both her drawings and her exquisite jewellery. I particularly love the “Industrial Garden” brooches in plated rose gold with beautiful engraved details.

The highlight of the evening for me was to meet the artist and listen to her explaining the making process of one of her necklaces. I think this is a must-go exhibition for all friends of contemporary jewellery.

Industrial garden brooches, 2012, image ©Dirk Eisel, Gallery S O 

Wendy Ramshaw: Rooms of Dreams

This is a major exhibition of Wendy Ramshaw’s work @ Somerset House including her paper and plastic jewellery, her signature ring sets and the large-scale architecture artwork. She is one of the leading contemporary designers, a font of inspiration to all aspiring jewellers.

“Promenade” by Xavier Veilhan @Hatfield_House

An impressive sculpture exhibition by French artist Xavier Veilhan is set throughout the West Garden of this superb Jacobean house. The sculptural works of this installation blend brilliantly with the Estate’s idyllic gardens and offer freedom of move and interaction to the visitor. Furthermore the striking colour choice of the sculptures cannot be overlooked.

“Out of Sync” @SomersetHouse

This is a beautiful, large-scale art installation at Somerset House by Fernando Casasempere. There are 10,000 daffodils handcrafted, made of clay and various other industrial by-products in the courtyard of this imposing building. It’s a celebration of spring!

Handcrafted wooden eyewear

Collaborating with Bushmills Irish whiskey, Shwood eyewear brand give their sunglasses a new twist. A limited-edition range of sunglasses is made from 100-year old white oak Irish whiskey barrels. This is a great example of how creativity, innovation and mostly skilled craftsmanship can give brilliant upcycled products.

Source: ecouterre