15 leading Irish Goldsmiths Design to Roald Dahl Theme
The first collaboration by 15 Irish goldsmiths to create a piece of jewellery inspired by Roald Dahl is taking place in the Fumbally Exchange, Dame Lane, Dublin. The Irish Goldsmiths joined forces to produce a unique jewellery exhibition based on A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men quote from Roald Dahl. Each designer has produced a range of jewellery pieces on the theme which showcases the talents of some of Ireland’s leading contemporary jewellery makers. Entry to the exhibition is free of charge and it runs from Sunday 22nd-Sunday 29th April; 10am to 6pmeach day including Sundays. In addition, there are a number of workshops open to the public where they can work with one of the exhibiting goldsmiths to learn more and create their own unique piece of jewellery. The exhibition is supported by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
According to Clodagh Molloy, goldsmith who organised the exhibition, this the first time an independent initiative of this nature has been undertaken in Ireland that brings together contemporary jewellery makers designing pieces to a single concept or theme. She was inspired to organise it having seen similar exhibitions in other countries.
“We are offering the public an opportunity to see a glittering array of quirkiness and splendour demonstrated through using precious metals as an art form. The exhibition explores the wider idea of what jewellery is and the part it plays in our lives. As well as being a beautiful and cherished adornment, jewellery can also be thought-provoking, engaging and great fun. We thought Roald Dahl’s quote was a quirky fun theme to work to” Ms Molloy says.
The 15 goldsmiths participating are: Tammy Bradley, Janice Byrne, Emma Jane Champley, Sinead Cooke, Eva Dorney, Friederike Grace, Breda Haugh, Christina Keogh, Jason MacGabgann, Erika Marks, Clodagh Molloy, Simon Phelan, Mirjam Schiller, Arianne Tobin and Marie-Therese Walker. They use a range of materials to express their view on the theme including gold, silver, recycled plastic and enamel as well as gemstones such as raw morganite, raw diamond, citrine and garnet. A number of the goldsmiths’ work in recycled materials to highlight the current awareness in society on our environmental footprint.
A wild variety of ideas based on the theme are brought to life. For example; Flying Machines meet Wearable Art in Mirjam Schiller’s imaginative creations. The opulence of ancient Greece and Rome is revisited in gold, silver, pearl and gemstones by Christina Keogh. Whilst, inner truth and spirituality are reflected in the rose-cut tourmaline jewellery by Friederike Grace. Sinead Cooke’s Brings new life to old milk bottles through an unrecognisable transformation. The Curious Play pieces of Emma Jane Champley invite the wearer to experience a visceral reaction through use of unusual and sometimes surprising materials. Tammy Bradley takes her bubble-gum inspiration directly from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory film. Clodagh Molloy takes a darker more sombre tone through her pieces addressing mental health using patina copper with enamelled images. Marie-Therese Walker presents elegant jewellery games with her Wear Me, See Me, Play Me pieces.
There are numerous workshops and lectures running throughout the exhibition. For information and times please visit Facebook page . Tickets for the workshops are also available on Eventbrite A little nonsense workshops.
Exhibition is open from Sunday 22nd of April to Sunday 29th inclusive 10am-6pm and admission is free.
The exhibitors are:
Ariane Tobin
www.arianetobin.ie
The pieces in this Pod collection are inspired by my ongoing fascination with sea anemones, seed pods, and vines. Using recurring shapes and motifs I have created these whimsical pieces, which I hope you can almost imagine growing in some exotic clime waiting to be freshly plucked and worn
Janice Byrne
Inspired by nature and found objects the earth uncovers; the veins of our natural world are influential in transforming precious metals and gemstones in the rough into meticulously crafted sculptures. Each piece of jewellery is handcrafted entirely by Janice in her magical studio, which itself is reminiscent of a hidden treasure trove, some form of Aladdin’s cave. With a Textural yet romantic, muted palate -Janice’s pure and dramatic jewellery is otherworldly – plucked straight out of a fairy-tale.
Emma Jane Champley
Curious Play Collection Is Jewellery’s main function aesthetic adornment or does it also have the power to invoke a visceral response? In this collection I explore the interactive possibilities between the work and the wearer through the use of moving parts, tactile materials and everyday phobias. Materials: silver, gold, wood, feathers, wasp, polyester.
Friederike Grace
Tourmaline One of my favourite gems, it comes in nearly all colours and can also be bi-coloured and multicoloured, reflecting variations of fluid chemistry during crystallisation. This I find fascinating, it’s a glimpse of when earth became to be. For this exhibition I am using rose cut Tourmalines that show unusual colour combinations and shapes set in silver, reflecting their inner truth.
Breda Haugh
I love the waterside near my studio. It is a scene of constant movement, patterns, light and dark, reflections, bridges, water and stories. My work plays with these forms and textures and is inspired by the skills that brought them to us. Materials: Silver with embellishments of gold and oxidisation.
Simon Phelan
Gems& Fossils can take Millenia to form. Slowly evolving and subject to sudden transformation, as in tectonic collision. It is no surprise that when I find these stones they can be filled with tension and drama. For this exhibition, I have created pieces that will also transform for the wearer as the silver shines through the black finish. All pieces in Fine & Sterling Silver, 14kt Rose Gold, Black Rhodium, Natural Gemstones, Opalescent and Agatised Fossils. Simon Phelan Djinn Jewellery 15A Wexford St. Dublin 2
Jason Mac Gabhann
The inspiration for the pieces came from the gently flowing, concave and convex contours of blossoms. With inherent strength the metal is delicately holding a gemstone. This is possible by using the technique of anticlastic raising, allowing for a sheet of metal to be shaped into an organic form using only a hammer and a stake.
Tammy Bradley
The first piece in a collection of five, is inspired by one of the golden ticket holders. As the title of the exhibition is taken from Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the chocolate factory” original motion picture This necklace is the combination of many silversmith’s techniques and captures the energy, chaos, excitement and fun that is Violet. “Violet Beauregarde- Bubble-gum and Chaos” Materials: Silver, amethyst, pink freshwater pearl, black rhodium.
Mirjam Schiller
www.facebook.com/
Mirjam is a lover of Romance and brings you the Wildheart Experience where she builds Tiny Monuments to Great Love. Mirjam can be found in her studio on the far western reaches of The Atlantic Coast, building beautiful flying machines from clockwork components or capturing client’s characters in magical marionettes.
Christina Keogh
It is not an actual necessity to adorn the body, but even prehistoric cultures engaged in bejewelled decadence, and why not? Exploring the abstract patterns used in the richly decorated pottery of Ancient Greece, I have hand-crafted these pieces from gold and silver. Adding gems and pearls, I have created a little bit of wearable, opulent ‘nonsense’ for this exhibition.
Sinead Cooke
Sinéad Cooke is an artist, designer and object maker. Her work manifests itself primarily as jewellery “I am interested in making objects to be worn as I feel it presents an interesting opportunity for the discussion of ideas around value and material worth. My choice of materials is important for their expressive potential both visually and in the exploration of these ideas.” The current body of work is made predominantly from plastic. The source of my plastic is entirely post-consumer waste; plastic milk bottles.
Erika Marks
www.erikamarks.com
I have always been interested in rings, especially the thought that they can have more than one meaning both to the wearer and the viewer. For this exhibition I have made a series of handpieces which play with ideas of protection and self-defence, combined with meditation and contemplation.
Made in 24ct gold + silver, they’re not nearly as serious as they sound!
Clodagh Molloy
For my pieces in this exhibition I am using enamelled images taken from the ruined façade of the St Brendan’s Mental Asylum in Grangegorman. Then combining them with the use of patinas to portray a narrative of the decaying mental institution and the general lack of supports and stigma given to mental health in our country both in the past and the present.
Marie-Therese Walker
Elegant jewels with underlying quirk
Marie-Therese presents a range of wearable games. The interactive jewellery explores human interaction and hopes to inspire bonding, connection and fun.
The collection is entitled “Wear Me, See Me, Play Me. Part 2”.
The work is affectionately hand made using traditional goldsmithing skills in 18ct Yellow Gold and Silver with precious and semi-precious gemstones.
Eva Dorney
“Interchangeable clasps and strands using gemstones, Lego and precious metals. Worn to the front, the clasp is both the closure and the feature of the necklace. Simply choose your core piece, be it a pearl strand or a steel necklet and change your clasps to create a new look in an instant! – Clasped”
Sponsors include: Company of Goldsmiths Ireland; Diamor; Colbar; P.J. Dix & Co.; Chupi and Sheridans Cheesemongers.