Nelson Jewellery Week

Nelson Jewellery Week – April 2023

Reflections,

As I sit at my new desk, in my just-unpacked studio space, in my new home, in a new part of Auckland City – there is finally a peaceful place to think and reflect on Nelson Jewellery Week. It’s been one hell of a month packing and moving, yet despite being next-level tired when I got there, Nelson was epic! There was so much to love about the entire experience. New friends were made and community bonds strengthened. It was emotionally, intellectually and creatively stimulating….and kinda gruelling – FOMO is a great motivator.

The Contemporary Jewellery gang are a warm, funny, family of misfits. I’m sure every one of us could be called a little quirky and I love that vibe. While not greatly travelled in NZ, I think Nelson is the perfect place to hold this type of event – it’s so walkable. The locals are hella-friendly and the food and wine are great. Those are my measures of a good time. Unfortunately, (lesson learned) I didn’t book enough time off work to fully appreciate all the exhibitions.

After our 3 days HS8 Workshop, one day was not sufficient to get around everything, especially when there were fab talks and debates at the Suter Gallery that day. On a personal jewellery nerd note, it was cool to see so many different types of contemporary Jewellery Display in one area. I wish I had taken more photos.

Now to Handshake8 Specifics – Renee Beven’s Push Pull workshop was just what I needed to shake my practice out and into a new direction. I’d been feeling ‘stuck’. After all the material exploration of the previous works with soft plastics, I was unsure I wanted to paint myself into that corner just yet but didn’t know where else to go. Rene’s push/ pull exercises made me think in different ways.

Some backstory…..Year 1 of study, I’m making a shoulder piece in response to the Christchurch Massacre, prompted by a visit to Christchurch for a family wedding that happened to be a week after the atrocity. The intensity of that visceral memory, communal grief and outrage, combined with the prolonged Making experience really got to me. Since then, I’ve been resistant to getting too emotionally deep in my work. Yet, at the same time, felt that the last 2 bodies of work lacked ….heart? Amidst the research on architectural practices, really, they were studies, capturing energetic, mid-moments, in static forms. Now, after a thoughtful nudge from one of the HS8’ers…I’m curious to explore releasing the energy. So, Motion – how can I get that to work for me?

Another little breakthrough was when I started thinking about the idea of preciousness. With soft plastics, I was wondering, as there becomes less plastic in the world, will it become more precious? Also, can I make a fairly pointless, single-use product, precious??

When I thought about what was most precious to me now…. what I covet most – what I never have enough of, is Time. Never enough of it in a day, as I pursue this creative path…..relationships across the board are neglected to varying degrees and suffering, while I strive to manage a creative practice and working full time…..all the while, my mother gently fades with Alzheimer; I hear a clock ticking, sands shifting, for her, and perhaps, for me.

These are some of the nerves I hit in Nelson, as we the Handshake 8’ers came together with Rene Bevan, to bond, be vulnerable, to Push/ Pull and grow. It was a powerful experience; intense at times, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity.

So, here at this stage, I’m pondering the idea for a body of work ’Reflecting on time through movement’. How? Time will tell.

Thanks for yours. Goodbye for now.