During our two and a half years together as HandShake6 from January 2020-mid 2022, the world has undergone tremendous upheaval. This has affected us all and as artists can be seen reflected in our work.
We chose Morph as our collective title and theme for this culminating exhibition to embody the transitional and transformative epoch of both the pandemic and Handshake6 on our lives, work and group dynamic.
Jewellery is a social art and ideal medium for connection, communication and to carry our values and stories. Jewellery artist and educator Manon Van Kouswijk was my supportive and challenging mentor during this time. Early on after explaining my fascination with the power of objects to convey information about people, culture, place and time, Manon encouraged me to collect specific data to translate into works; and to leave my comfortable realm of metal and jewellery making aside in order to find something new.
In June 2020 I began doing daily data drawings to record my actions and inner state. Continuing for seventeen months, these have informed diagrammatic three dimensional works which can function as both adornment and object. For me the evening ritual of drawing and reflection became an anchoring practice. These works might be seen as navigational landmarks marking my experience 0f this tumultuous time.
Each work led on from the last, posing new questions and adding fresh explorations within a state of play and inquiry. Bamboo is the main material, attracting me initially for its bone-like tubular form and regenerative qualities. It grows fast and freely in public spaces around my local environment. The use of colour in the work aids in both charting information and evoking an emotive response, both personally and interpersonally.
Handshake6 has been a time of intense exploration and growth. My practice has evolved to include drawing, moving image and media as contextual elements enveloping three dimensional works and adornment. I have explored themes of time; how we record, value and spend our time; and considered the cumulative results of our everyday choices. These moments collect to build our lives, legacies and collective culture. To make these effects and patterns physical and wearable facilitates reflection on whether our values align with our choices, a reminder the moments matter.
Title July 2020
Year Made 2021
Materials Bamboo, gouache, natural wax
Dimensions 360mm L x180mm W x 11mm D cord length 420mm
Title August 2020
Year Made 2021
Materials Bamboo, acrylic, natural wax, brass, cord
Dimensions 600mm L x 400mm W x 10mm D
Title of Work September 2020
Year Made 2022
Materials Bamboo, enamel paint, brass, braided steel cord
Dimensions 530mm L x 480mm W x 11mm D
Title of Work September 2020 concertina
Year Made 2021
Materials Ink, hahnemuhle paper 250gsm, silk cord, brass
Dimensions 210mm L x 2190mm W x 10mm D
Heartfelt gratitude for the energy,support and opportunities offered through the Handshake Project by Peter Deckers and Hilda Gascard of Makers101, Manon van Kouswijk for your gentle prodding and galactic contextual knowledge, Iris Eichenberg for bringing us together from the very start, Renee Bevan and Estela Saez for sharing your many bright pearls.
Thanks to Creative New Zealand for the ongoing support that makes the Handshake Project possible, Northart, Whrinaki, Te Auaha, Laree Payne and Garth O’Brien, where and with whom we have been privileged to share our work and process. Warm handshakes to our many other supporters, family and friends and all of the fantastic talented jewellers of Handshake6, it’s been a pleasure.
Next up, HandShake7.