FINDINGS
- The Association for Contemporary Jewellery's quarterly newsletter.
January
2003
Euromix: Diverse Jewels from the Continent
Kath
Libbert Jewellery, Salts Mill, Saltaire 7 November-3 February
Euromix brings together a diverse collection of unique works from
twelve European and four British designer jewellers and metalsmiths.
Kath Libbert's shows are always interesting to visit and the show
is a feast of colour, with strong form and texture employing a variety
of materials and techniques. It is both stimulating and inspiring:
some pieces embrace humour, many explore unique innovation, and
all are excellently crafted.
On entering, your eyes were immediately drawn to the amazing wall
pieces by Welsh designer Julia Griffith-Jones, life size garments
made from aluminium and steel, coiled, bent, twisted and painted
to resemble textile techniques such as quilting, patchwork, lace
and embroidery. The pieces are spot welded to become exuberant representations
of skirts and aprons, smocks and even a vase of flowers.
The Spanish jeweller Tensi Solsona's pieces were intriguing in a
Dadaesque fashion. His bold deconstructions of paintbrushes and
pencils made into funky ear pieces and brooches delight the viewer.
The Dutch work also fascinated me. Rian de Jond's playful miniature
wooden and metal shoulder ornaments were inspired by her travels;
they are organic and beautiful to touch. Stephanie Jendis' brooches
each had a title and were playful, almost childlike with mixed materials
brought together in an aesthetically appealing way. Another innovative
use of material was in Nel Linssen's paper arm and neck pieces,
ingeniously folded paper discs creating tactile, sometimes shimmering
flickers of colour.
German jeweller Erik Urbschat's stylish and classical pieces were
beautifully made. His unconventional 'Hedgehog' ring begs the viewer
to touch the mobile spines. Another innovative design was that of
his revolving interlocking rings almost like globes, swirling around
off the finger but superbly executed precision pieces when worn.
Kath Libbert comments: 'Euromix is largely the result of my own
travels throughout Europe over the past few years and the pieces
on show are a selection of some of the most original and accomplished
work that I've seen. It's also a way of marking the year of the
Euro, bringing together at Salts Mill some of Europe's top designers
in a vibrant show celebrating our creative diversity.' I can highly
recommend a visit to this refreshing and diverse exhibition - it's
on till early February. Eve Redmond
