Presented by JamFactory
Reviewed 12 July 2014
Exhibition Gallery One:
Nick Mount: The Fabric of Work
A beautiful exhibition of exquisite works, with each piece perfectly formed, demonstrating great technique in glass, wood and metal.
The finish on each work is consistently good, which is to be expected from someone who has been working in the medium since the 70s and is both a teacher and a renowned practitioner. Nick Mount’s work has been exhibited in the USA, Europe and Japan and is found in all significant galleries in Australia, both private and public.
Some of this exhibition is reminiscent of the Venetian masters of decorative glass and the variety of colours and mountings is pleasing to look at. Although primarily glass, each piece uses mixed mediums and the differing woods, etc are perfectly matched to the form and colour of the glass.
It would be hard to pick a favourite in this collection and I found myself wandering around for a second look at most pieces. Personally I found No. 1: Sketchy Plum #010512 and No.10b: Hard Working Bob #SB090910 particularly pleasing, and Golden Plum on Corten #030614 had beautiful colours. My favourite was No.26: Reclining Bobs #010114.
Each piece is a thing of beauty and you should go see for yourself.
Exhibition Gallery Two: White Heat – Contemporary Australian Ceramic Jewellery
Ceramic Jewellery is not something I have seen a lot of so I was interested to view this exhibition, hoping to see something different. Many of the pieces were indeed different, and interesting. Some I think would be very difficult to wear.
Graham Bannerman, a multi-disciplined artist and a teacher, has six pieces in this exhibition. All were well made but only No. 2 Untitled really appealed to me, although I admit I have somewhat conservative tastes.
Jewellery is personal decoration and so style can vary greatly, but No. 5 Moon Rock has an interesting finish; it looks bulky and delicate at the same time.
Prue Venables is recognised as an award winner in the area of ceramics and the expertise is obvious in the five pieces she has on display. All are simple with a strong feeling for colour and beautifully made but, being ceramic, I would worry about breakages.
Other exhibitors include Zara Collins (solo and with Graham Bannerman), Kris Coad, Katherine Wheeler, Sarah Hudson and Pennie Elliott, Lia Tajcar, Nelia Justo, Manon van Kouswijk, Deirdre Hoban, and Bridget Bodeham with fifty plus items on display.
I can look at many of these items and think they are pretty or well made, but the true test of jewellery for me is would I wear it! For several of these pieces the answer is “yes”, including: No. 42 Perles d’Artiste no. 3 by Manon van Kouswijk; No. 21 Victorian Vinaigrette (lavender) by Zara Collins; No. 15 Black with Gold Necklace by Sarah Hudson and Pennie Elliott; and any of items 46, 47 or 48 Perles d’Artiste no 5 by Kouswijk. Get along and see which of the many pieces appeals to you.
Reviewed by Fran Edwards
Twitter: @franeds
Venue: Jam Factory, 19 Morphett St, Adelaide
Season: 11 July – 13 September 2014
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