Warwick Freeman

Freeman uses materials such as Paua shell, Mother of Pearl, Baler shell and Scallop shells. His pieces don’t necessarily relate to the ocean in their concept, even though they are made up of oceanic materials. He uses the connotations that the materials have to aid his narrative jewellery. Each of his pieces tells a different story. The connotations of selected materials relate to the story behind the piece, such as his choice of shiny pearl shell for the shape of the star, this way his piece actually shines.

Freeman, W. 1992. Flowerstar. Baler Shell, Jasper, Gold

Freeman, W. 1993. Watercross. Baler Shell, Oxidised Silver

Freeman, W. 1991. Soft Star. Pearl Shell

Freeman, W. 1989. Star Heart. Pearl Shell, Scoria, Paint, Gold

Cheryl Eve Acosta

When looking at Acosta’s work, I find it so obvious that her inspiration and references come from the ocean. Acosta grew up along the coast of Puerto Rico. In her book, ‘Hidden in Nature’ (2009), she discusses how growing up by the sea has influenced her design direction from an early age. She looks at sea life from a scientific point of view, using aquatic processes to fuel her work. She feels that this gives her work the appearance of being from the ocean, without being directly from it. She uses a variety of materials for her jewellery, some of these being: silver, copper, gold, enamels and fabric.

Acosta, C. 2009. Synaptic Coral: Gap. Gold Plated

Acosta, C. 2009. Healing. Copper, Organza

Acosta, C. 2009. Brooch. Enamel, Gold Plated

Acosta, C. 2009. Birth. Copper, Enamel, Organza

Amy Eisenfeld Genser

Amy Eisenfeld Genser is an artist that works 'Green', She uses colourful paper to depict underwater scenes. She loves the "organic irregularity of plants, flowers, rock formations, barnacles, moss, and seaweed".

Vetkat references

For another exhibition we're taking part in, we are using paintings by artist Vetkat Kruiper as references and designing our pieces around them. When looking through his paintings, these were some of the images that stood out to me...






I plan on using these images in my work by either etching or chasing. At the same time I want to combine my B-Tech theme with the pieces, so I will focus on adding detail to the back of whatever piece I design...

'Shades of Green' exhibition

For the 'Shades of Green' exhibition being hosted at Artisan Contemporary Gallery, we have been asked to submit pieces of work that explore the topic of 'going green'. This can be done either in the way we manufacture our jewellery, or the visual message we are creating through our pieces, or even just using the colour green.

An example of 'green' jewellery is that of Ana Hagopian. She uses recycled paper to create these bright colourful rings...

Erica Leal

while looking through the Carrotbox blog I came across a ring manufactured by Erica Leal. Although her style is different to mine, she has managed to make a 'miniature sculpture', not just a piece of jewellery. A lot of the detail and focus is on the under side of the ring, which is a concept I have been exploring with my own jewellery...

Mirjam Hiller

While browsing through The Carrot Box Blog, I found a Jeweller called Mirjim Hiller from Germany. These rings are interesting and I find that they relate to my work because the emphasis to detail on the shanks is as much as on top of the ring itself...

Thinking...mmm.

My B-tech Theme is based on the ocean, its colours and its creatures. I have always been drawn to the ocean, but have never been entirely sure why. Throughout my B-tech year I will be manufacturing jewellery that relates to the sea and in the process discovering where my love for the ocean stems from.

These are some interesting facts/statements that I found in the foreword of ‘Into The Deep’, written by Don Walsh.

“It is difficult to comprehend the ocean’s breadths and depths, let alone the splendid diversity of its life.”

I agree with Don Walsh’s statement, beneath the oceans surface is an incredibly vast variety of creatures and corals, most of which only a select few have seen first hand.

“Earth – it really is the wrong name.”

According to Walsh, the oceans cover more than 70% of the earth’s surface area, and living space hidden beneath its surface is 543 million cubic kilometres. Looking at these statistics it is understandable how one could feel so removed and out of touch with this huge expanse of water.

“More humans have visited the moon than have been to the deepest part of the ocean.”

I love this statement. Mans fascination with the depths of the ocean is very similar to mans fascination with space; both of these places are not immediately accessible or tangible.

Glass Necklaces by Ruth Berenbaum

Ruth Berenbaum uses actual glass links in her necklaces. I find this incredibly interesting since I have been trying to go on a glass bead making course myself. Ruth seems to be taking it a step above glass beads that need to be threaded onto some other kind of material, as all her pieces are made entirely of glass!

Pretty Rings by Aude Tahon...

I can’t understand a word on this blog, because it’s all in French… But this jeweller uses either colourful ‘scooby’ wire or painted wire, to create such beautiful and colourful crochet rings. They look so lovely and weightless, and I am particularly drawn to their messy organic appearance.

http://audetahon.typepad.com/

Emily Gill

When browsing through the carrot box blog, I stumbled upon a jeweller called Emily Gill. She draws inspiration from the inner workings of plant and marine life, using aspects such as their cellular structure to influence her work. She uses enamel in her work which I enjoy, because I also want to incorporate enamels and colour into my jewellery

Above is a photo of one of Emily Gill's marine inspired brooches.