WELCOME TO HANDSHAKE 4
The HS4 two-year (2017-2018) recruitment programme focused on experimentation and exhibiting, demonstrated through a development programme that included coaching, mentoring, and masterclasses.
Dutch artist and educator Ruudt Peters selected twelve NZ jewellery mentees and their mentors from an open call. The programme started with a Masterclass led by Estonian artist Tanel Veenre, who came to New Zealand. He introduced innovative methods of presenting artworks and ideas.
Exhibitions were held at Pah Homestead in Auckland in October 2017, at Toi Poneke in Wellington during the International Festival of The Arts in March 2018, and at Corban Estate Arts Centre during Auckland Art Week in October 2018. Furthermore, an online exhibition was featured on the HS4 HandShake website.
NEWS & BLOG
Handshake 4 – PROCESS
Process at Toi Pōneke Gallery brings together original works by the twelve HS4 jewellers who are currently half-way through their two-year mentorship programme. A unique exhibition design by artist Gabby O'Connor extends the idea of process by including works in...
Greatness & smallness
There are some inspirations and admirations that stand the test of time. In fact, centuries of time already. I’ve been looking at the work of one of the most impressive creators, inventors, scientists and artists of all time- Leonardo Da Vinci. Such intellect,...
Human wear
Sitting on stone steps, a casual remark or waiting in airports. Inspiration arrives in strange places and in unexpected times. The beginnings of this project began with a conversation while taking a break from the install at Pah Homestead, where I was sitting on...
Doubt versus Confidence
Doubt can motivate you, so don't be afraid of it. Confidence and doubt are at two ends of the scale, and you need both. They balance each other out. Barbara Streisand Doubt versus Confidence Halfway through the mentorship program it was time to reflect on the past...
Beyond boundaries
There are often expectations to push a material to & beyond its boundaries when pursuing a design, form or idea so that is original & unexpected. This usually results in considerable wasted material & failures but is also an invaluable way of making new...
Holding on, Letting go
When having to move workshop space the reality of the stuff I keep was more than apparent. There were test pieces going back to 2010, nestled safely in the back of unopened drawers. The ‘you never know when’ classification of storage obviously applied to these wee...
Mahuru
Mahuru a.k.a September was a very busy month for me indeed.I was honored enough to be funded by Creative New Zealand to be able to travel to Melbourne for Radiant Pavilion which is a bi-annual contemporary jewelry festival and attend the MakingOUT Symposium,...
Waste not……
At the end of the Pah Homestead show I drove up to Auckland to collect work and ended bringing a load of the planks used for display back as well. They have been sitting in my studio as no one really wants them. The contrasting colours are really attractive and have...
All Change
Packing at Whitereia All change seems to be the theme of late. I’ve been at Whitereia (the institute where Peter Deckers teaches Jewellery and where I studied and have been mentoring/lecturing) helping with the sorting (30 years accumulation), packing and storing. A...
Within This Skin at ‘Leanings’– Pah Homestead Gallery
Working with the eventual materials of this project was a significant departure from my typical and ‘safe’ mediums that I am familiar with. The general fragility and unpredictability of these new materials made the tenuous early stages of the creative process even...
Altered States – Leanings Exhibit at Pah Homestead
A summary of my work in the Leanings show at Pah Homestead My work Altered States evolved with diorama like play. Lots of scenarios were played out with bits and pieces on boiler bases before the final work was completed. Scenes were arranged and rearranged for...
What About that Pink Volcano?
In late August, I had gone so wide on technique and making, I was left thinking what have I done? Perspective had left me. This is where having access to a mentor and being part of the Handshake project came into its own. I contacted Francis, sent her with images and...