FINDINGS
- The Association for Contemporary
Jewellery's quarterly newsletter.
March 2007
10 Years On - The Mill in Miniature
Sarah O'Hana attended the opening
On Thursday 9th November 2006 Kath Libbert, of Saltaire in West
Yorkshire, celebrated the 10th anniversary of her gallery in Salts
Mill.
Salts Mill, built by Sir Titus Salt in 1853, is steeped in an especially
rich industrial history, renowned for its use of Peruvian Alpaca
wool. Kath responded to this by inviting 35 makers to take part
in a competition with a £500 prize to be won. This was great news
indeed. Few competitions exist in the UK for contemporary jewellery,
let alone ones that welcome international entries in response to
such strong regional history.
Kath's event opened in style with a whirlwind of guests turning
out especially to see the entries that had responded to the Salts
Mill environment. Nearby, artists' statements were clear to see,
and visitors were very keen to read the literature from beginning
to end. By having a focus to the celebratory event Kath had created
an extra dimension of intrigue that resulted in a very electric,
anticipatory atmosphere.
In addition to the juried prize, a Public Vote, whose winner will
receive a special commission from the Silver family (owners of Salts
Mill), ensured that all present were fully engaged in the scrutiny
of these makers. I was delighted to see new work from Catalan favourites
Xavier Ines Monclus and Silvia Piva. Monclus' passion for local
heritage was given here the perfect platform and his performance
did not disappoint with a brooch prominently featuring a blue-smoking
factory chimney. Czech Blanka Sperkova presented a necklace of multicoloured
alpacas impossibly knitted in wire with her fingers. A minute 18ct
gold container by Catherine Mannheim housed vintage photos for a
brooch alongside a thoughtful piece by Betty Pepper Lady Caroline's
Cameo Appearance made in memory of Titus' wife who bore him
11 children. Domesticity stood side by side with pioneering layer
technology seen in Lynne K Murray's rapid prototyped Woollen Nebula.
Equally impressive entries by Cathy Miles, Chris Philipson and many
others made it hard to cast the public vote.
Finally, from the magnificent, oversized chair at the entrance of
her gallery, Kath announced that the jury, Professor Dorothy Hogg
MBE (Head of Jewellery and Silversmithing, Edinburgh College of
Art) Muriel Wilson (Association for Contemporary Jewellery), Simon
Palmer (painter and winner of the Royal Academy 2006 Windsor and
Newton Turner Award) and Jennifer Hallam (Arts Council England)
had chosen Blanka Sperkova as winner of the £500 gallery award.
Kath herself, however, deserves an award for 10 years of visionary
performance and a most refreshing approach to international artists
and emerging talent. Long may this continue at Salts Mill.
STOP PRESS: The winner of the public vote is announced
as Blanka Sperkova again! and by a substantial margin.
