M101 organises art development projects and professional opportunities for the wider NZ jewellery sector. Their primary focus is the organisation and coordination of the HANDSHAKE Project and the Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial.
The HANDSHAKE project began in February 2011 and is the brainchild of Wellington-based artist, organiser, & educator Peter Deckers. The idea was born out of recognition of the need for ongoing support for talented New Zealand graduates after completing their jewellery/art studies.
HANDSHAKE supports emerging New Zealand jewellery artists, allowing them to develop ideas and artworks for a succession of exhibitions with the assistance of masterclasses and a chosen mentor. Additional opportunities include coaching sessions, curated exhibitions, collaborations, and network opportunities with both national and international exposure. The progressive nature of the programme aims to develop independent makers with innovative and energetic art practices.
With so many good makers around the globe and technologies that allow instant access to everyone and everything, we now have the benefit of choice. For the first time in history the continuing ‘student’ is not prey to the random local educationalists and experts. Now within electronic reach, we can communicate anywhere in the world with an expert colleague, who has extended or complementary interests, and equally shares their passion for object-making.
MAKERS 101 aims to generate and organise creative opportunities for NZ artists.
The Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial project celebrates NZ jewellery from the vision of their appointed curators. The idea came from the four successful Dowse Art Museum Jewellery Biennales (the last one was in 2000). The Triennial provides opportunities for NZ artists and curators alike. Such a reoccurring highlight assures that there are occasions for professional growth and progress.
On the other hand, HANDSHAKE is designed for NZ jewellery artists who incrementally like to enhance their professional art skills. HS offers a development, mentoring and exhibition programme that complements and distinguishes it from conventional art education.
Handshake 3 in collaboration with Dialogue Collective, Munich 2017
Unlike the traditional apprentice model, in HS the mentor works for the mentee by providing feedback and support in the exploration of ideas and the development of exhibition-ready artwork.
The progression and diversities of all the HS projects are archived on the HANDSHAKE Project website (handshakeproject.com). All the projects, people involved, blog posts, exhibitions, publications, and catalogues can be found on their web pages.
The exhibitions for each project are purpose-made and aim to accelerate the progression of each maker’s art practice. Therefore, no HANDSHAKE exhibition is the same. This multifaceted project gives its artists various progressive chances for noticeable introductions to the informed appreciative art market.
The ultimate goal of the HandShake Project is to develop independent leaders beyond dependency.
HS assisted over the last 12 years, sixty emerging NZ artists in the acceleration of their jewellery art practice. M101 continues supporting their HS alumni with high-profile curated national and international exhibition opportunities as well as collaborations. The progressive nature of HANDSHAKE assists artists to become active players in professional occasions such as the Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial, and within the wider sector, like galleries, museums, collectors, curators, writers, and other network opportunities, or as mentors.
The difference between M101 and other art development organisations is that M101 operates from the bottom up, while others operate from the top down.
M101 and HANDSHAKE could only succeed thanks to the funding of Creative New Zealand, and all involved.
M101 staff
– Peter Deckers, Creative Director
– Hilda Gascard, Project Manager
