Katherine Bowman

The Craft Blog

2012-01-23T18:26:00.000+11:00

Craft Victoria has a new blog:

The Craft Blog

it looks pretty exciting. There is a lot to see and be inspired by.

image from Craft Victoria

oh, and there is a great exhibition on at the moment by Kirsten Perry

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2012-01-21T16:32:00.000+11:00

2012-01-13T07:27:00.000+11:00

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Louise Bourgeois = hero

all images from here

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embroidery

2012-01-12T09:23:00.000+11:00

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embroidery = inspiration

Antique Moroccan Fez embroidery
circa 1900

Antique Islamic Egyptian Mamluk embroidery
Mamluk Period
1250 - 1517 A.D

Antique Moroccan Fez embroidery
circa 1840

Antique Central Asian Suzani

circa 1800

Antique Ottoman cushion covers embroidery
Ottoman Dynasty
1453-1922A.D

all images from here

Fibre Arts - Art Jewellery Winter School

2012-01-11T11:16:00.000+11:00

ART JEWELLERY @ THE WINTER SCHOOL 30th June – 5th July 2012

In June this year, four of the members of Northcity4 - Ali Limb, Anna Davern, Caz Guiney and myself are running classes at a winter school in Ballarat, organised by Glenys Mann of Fibre Arts. There will also be five international jewellers running workshops at the same time.

More information can be found on Anna Davern's blog, and the enrollment form can be viewed here

gratitude

2011-12-23T16:33:00.006+11:00

Katherine Bowman Gold & Silversmith will be closed from 23/12/2011 until 16/01/2012

all jewellery queries will be addressed from the 16 January 2012

Thank you to the year and all that was in it.

Thank you to everyone who supported my work this year, it is so greatly appreciated.

Best wishes for the festive season

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earrings and pendant

2011-12-23T10:50:00.000+11:00

oxidized sterling silver pendant and earrings with enamel paint

delivered to e.g.etal this week

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2011-12-22T15:14:00.004+11:00

via here

Nomad ring with sapphires and diamonds

2011-12-22T00:08:00.001+11:00

18ct yellow gold Nomad ring set with Ceylon sapphires and white diamonds

I designed this ring as a newer version of my Random rings.
The very first Random ring that I made was 18ct yellow gold set with blue sapphires and white diamonds. This is why this Nomad ring is set with these stones.
This new ring is 'rougher' that than the original Random ring, as I wanted it to look like it was old and had possibly collected the stones through time and different journeys.
This is also why the blue sapphires are all different hues. Not matching things also helps you to see each individual element.
The ring at the moment has a matt finish on it, but with wear, parts will burnish up and give it even more texture and character.

the centre, largest stone is a beautiful blue, hard to capture in a photograph ( in different lights the blue photographs differently - excuse my fingers and dirty nails, I wanted to try and get a better photo of the blue )

this ring is at e.g.etal

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Relic rings

2011-12-19T22:28:00.000+11:00

three new rings
all called Relic rings
sterling silver with yellow gold plate and engravings

they have a good weight to them, I wanted them to be felt on the hand

these three rings are at e.g.etal

new work

2011-12-19T10:36:00.000+11:00

new stock going to e.g.etal today

I am very late with this! I had grand hopes ( and grand designs) for getting more stock out there. Everything delivered is a 'one off ', so took longer than normal production work. The rest of my stock will go out in January and February.

Northcity4

2011-12-17T08:21:00.001+11:00

staple four by Caz Guiney

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Northcity4

2011-12-17T08:20:00.003+11:00

I am involved in an exciting new project called Northcity4

Northcity4 is Ali Limb, Anna Davern, Caz Guiney, Romani Benjamin and Katherine Bowman (me)

this is what we are about:

We are 5 contemporary jewellery and object makers who want to celebrate, support and promote Melbourne’s amazing contemporary jewellery community.

NORTHCITY 4 is a not-for-profit organisation encompassing a shared jewellery and object studio in a healthy and professional workspace and learning environment.

We are excited! Nc4 Is a Real Thing. We have been planning and meeting and discussing and raving over bottles of wine and, finally, celebrating over bottles of champagne as our ideas and plans have come to fruition. Northcity4 is the culmination of all our hopes and passions as makers and members of our community. It will be launched officially in the new year, towards the ends of feb. (we hope)

Northcity4 is not just about us, it’s about the community we live and work in and we hope to bring it all together into this one space and share it with you and your friends.

Over the next couple of weeks we will let you know more about Northcity4.

image by Ali Limb

We have an excellent website and blog that will be launched in the new year.

And also on the horizon will be a special fundraiser which we would like to invite you and your friends to.

We ( Anna D and I) will keep you posted!

image by Romani Benjamin

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To Hold ring

2011-12-17T07:43:00.000+11:00

18ct white gold To Hold ring set with .60ct Champagne diamond

this is a beautiful diamond, the colour is very rich (and hard to capture in a photograph)

This ring is at e.g.etal

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2011-12-16T11:41:00.000+11:00

really nice image from Odette New York

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Wide rings with engravings

2011-12-16T10:49:00.001+11:00

Sterling silver Wide rings with engravings

Sterling silver Wide ring set with chrome tourmalines and Ceylon sapphire with floral engraving

Sterling silver Wide ring with dots

Sterling silver Wide ring with embroidery pattern

these three rings are available at Studio Ingot

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Trousseau ring

2011-12-15T18:22:00.000+11:00

18ct white gold Trousseau ring set with five champagne diamonds

I am very taken with this ring. It is not often I want to keep a ring for myself, but I did for a while consider it with this ring. It has captured what I was hoping for, it looks very old like an antique, the colours of the metal and the champagne diamonds sit well together. It feels nice to wear as well, like one had worn it for a long time.

initial sketches for the ring

I originally thought of setting rubies in the ring, and mostly make with yellow gold in mind as it is my favourite metal to work with.
I changed my mind once I saw the champagnes, and chose white gold instead.

other colour combinations

This ring was delivered to e.g.etal this morning

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Craft Victoria coffee cups, original drawings

2011-12-13T10:05:00.000+11:00

here are the original sketches for the designs that went on to the coffee cups recently released at Craft Victoria. The cups made by Ingrid Tufts, images by me.

the coffee cups are available to purchase at Craft Victoria and online here

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tractorgirl

2011-12-09T13:51:00.000+11:00

there is a post on my work on a new website called Tractorgirl, by Julie Gibbons.
Thank you Tractorgirl

you can see it here

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Significant ring

2011-12-08T22:34:00.000+11:00

18ct yellow gold Significant ring

wall - c.2mm
width - c.6.2mm - 7.4mm

This ring is very soft to touch, maybe it is more correct to say smooth.
I spent a long time on the finish so that it would be so

this ring will go to e.g.etal tomorrow

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2011-12-08T08:51:00.000+11:00

also on at the Nicholas Building this week is a Studio sale by Natalia Milosz-Piekarska and Karla Way, another event not to be missed.

Caravel ring

2011-12-07T07:32:00.001+11:00

9ct white gold Caravel ring set with an oval chrome tourmaline and two Ceylon sapphires

image of a caravel

A caravel is a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese to explore along the West African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. The lateen sails gave her speed and the capacity for sailing to windward (beating). Caravels were much used by the Portuguese for the oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries in the age of discovery.

text from here

When I think of the ocean, I always think of blue and green, as the sea can be many colours at once depending on the light, amongst other things.
Like the sails of a boat, the 'squares' holding the stones are at slightly different angles, as if the wind had moved them towards a new direction. !

the initial sketches for this ring

some different colour possibilities

glitter = diamonds

this ring will be delivered to e.g.etal today

new and events

2011-12-06T22:21:00.008+11:00

Dani Maugeri launches her new venture this week with The Quick and The Dead:

'Open from Dec 7th until January, The Quick and The Dead features a collection of handmade and locally produced work from a whole lot of our friends based here in Melbourne, as well as some interstate offerings from Sydney and Adelaide.'

It looks like it is going to be an exciting space with some interesting makers, like Anita Cummins

image of Anita's work from The Quick and The Dead

Room 10, Level 3
37 Swanston Street
The Nicholas Building

also this week is :

featuring work by Vikki Kassioras, Peter O'Connor and Tim Flemming

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2011-12-06T07:07:00.000+11:00

great photo, from The Sartorialist
Essaouira, Morocco

reminds of new earrings I have been working on

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Craft Victoria coffee cup

2011-12-05T07:51:00.000+11:00

I have the first edition of 50 of both the cups.
It is lovely, they are like prints in that each cup has my name and Ingrid Tuft's name written on the bottom of each cup as well as the edition number.

I draw pieces before I make them. It is so nice to see the drawings become something else.
I will post images of the drawings next

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Afghanistan

2011-12-04T15:16:00.001+11:00

Afghanistan – touch down in flight from Augustin Pictures on Vimeo.

my friend Nick sent me the link to this video

some of the text that goes with this video:

As each of us has his own impression of Afghanistan that is predominantly marked with pictures of foreign forces, explosions and terror, we were privileged to have access to capture daily life and portrait some people of Afghanistan.
We hope the pictures you know will merge with the pictures you see and will enrich your view on the country in the Hindu Kush.

locations:
Kabul and Mazar-e Sharif
We wanted to go to other places as well but there were several incidents and security was too bad. Just one day after shooting at the blue mosque in Mazar-e Sharif a mob started from the very same place storming the UN building...

Craft Victoria coffee cup

2011-12-01T22:34:00.000+11:00

I have just worked on an exciting project at Craft Victoria, providing drawings for a coffee cup made by Ingrid Tufts. This series is a limited edition.

This is the first time I have done anything like this, and I loved it!
It was so great working with not only Craft Victoria (especially Milly Flemming), but also the opportunity of working with Ingrid Tufts.
These cups are beautiful to hold, and are lovely to use.

images from Craft Victoria

The cups are available from Craft Victoria, and are also available online at
Counter@CraftVictoria.
They retail for $30

click here to buy!

This is the artist statement that I wrote for the project:

To drink a cup of tea or coffee is for most a daily ritual, the choice of cup marks the ritual as much as the choice of beverage.

Wearing jewellery is similar in that the choices of adornment are made on a daily basis and can carry us forward into the day.

So these 2 ritual objects, a cup and a ring are brought together as a conscious celebration of a daily act.

There are two designs: one with rings, the second has a brooch and a ring on it.

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inspiration

2011-11-29T22:03:00.001+11:00

'A two-dimensional surface can easily be copied in two dimensions. It’s three dimensions that are hard to get onto two. That involves making a lot of decisions. You have to stylize it or something, interpret it. You've got to accept the flat surface. Not try and pretend it's not there. Doesn't that mean that we learn how to get used to pictures and interpret them? And isn't that one reason why we are fascinated by pictures? I certainly am. I've always believed that pictures make us see the world. Without them, I'm not sure what anybody would see. A lot of people think that they know what the world looks like because they've seen it on television. But if you are deeply fascinated by what the world really looks like, you are forced to be very interested in any way of making a picture that you come across.'

David Hockney

from A Bigger Message, Conversations with David Hockney. Martin Gayford p.II

image from here

a walk

2011-11-27T21:03:00.001+11:00

Anna Davern

2011-11-27T14:38:00.002+11:00

Anna Davern has just published 2 interesting posts on her blog.
Interesting for a number of reasons.
Firstly, for images of her exciting new studio:

a place where I want to be.

Secondly for the issues she raises in regards to private commissions:

Very occasionally I have a private client. Generally this is either a friend or family or a friend of a friend or family. So, I give them a discount on the retail price. I think that this is a decent thing to do as I am not paying the high street rents that are factored into retail prices. Plus, they’re either my friend or have been recommended by a friend.

But, recently I received a phone call from someone who said “I saw your work at xxxx and got your number from your website and I would like to commission you to make my wedding ring”. As they had mentioned the name of the gallery/shop I very politely told them about the respect I have for that gallery/shop and how the staff there would do a great job of looking after them and that I would prefer that the commission came through said gallery.

But what would I have done if they hadn’t mentioned the gallery by name and just said I’ve seen your work on the internet? I would probably take the job as I can only believe this to be true. Would I charge full retail price? I don’t think so as I’d feel like I was robbing them.

However, I probably should charge the full retail price, I may not pay high street rental but I do pay rent, I pay my website hosting fee, I spend quite a lot of time doing my own promotion, I have to pay for photography for the website/blog, and I would probably have to spend at least 2 hours in meetings with the client. (after writing this as a draft, I’ve been asking some of my colleagues about this and the responses have been mixed but the ones who run successful commission practices advise to charge retail. One of the best analogies I got was of my accountant who works from her home but charges me the same standard accounting fees as the franchise accountant on the high street.)

I too have great respect for the galleries that I sell my work through, and these relationships are very important to me.
Increasingly I find that people expect a discount if they buy something directly from you.
It often makes me a little sad that handmade (directly from the maker)seems to equal something that should have a lower price attached to it; that handmade also demands a discount.
Even though this handmade item may have more than 10 years of study behind it, and the client may earn double or triple what you earn.

this handmade life just keeps getting more interesting

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colours and combinations

2011-11-25T12:48:00.000+11:00

image from here

image

new work coming soon

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2011-11-22T13:42:00.000+11:00

Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.

Miriam Beard

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Stones and Stories

2011-11-20T23:26:00.001+11:00

Last week I presented these 7 new rings at a beautiful event organised by e.g.etal, called Stones and Stories. Emma Goodsir, Julia DeVille were also part of this event, and also made new work for the evening.

I would like to thank e.g.etal for asking me to be part of this event, and I would like to thank the amazing staff: Belinda, Gianna, Lilian, Tess, Olivia and Richard for their hard work and friendship.

So here are my stones and stories!

Trade wind ring

trade wind n. 1.one of the winds prevailing over the oceans from about 30* south latitude, and blowing from north-east to south-west in the Northern Hemisphere, and from south-east to north-west in the Southern Hemisphere towards the equator. 2. Archaic.a wind that blows in one regular course, or continually in the same direction.

this ring is about one stone, so it goes in that direction

Attar of Rose ring

attar n. 1.a perfume or essential oil obtained from flowers or petals, esp.of damask roses.

roses are my favourite flowers. I especially love fragrant old fashioned roses.

Nomad ring

nomad n. 1. one of a race or tribe without fixed abode, but moving about from place to place according to the state of the pasturage or food supply. 2. any wanderer.

This ring and the Journey ring are related to my Random rings.
They continue the same explorations and intentions. What is precious is often a collection of smaller things and when collected together, tell an individual story.
I actually made a ring similar to the Nomad ring at the time I made the Random ring many years ago, and decide to pursue the Random ring instead. So here I have gone back to my original idea for this series.
These 2 new rings are designed to hold larger centre stones.

Journey ring

journey n. 1. a course of travel from one place to another, esp. by land. 2. a distance travelled, or suitable for travelling, in a specified time...3. to make a journey, travel...

Trousseau ring

trousseau n. a bride's outfit of clothes, linen, etc. which she brings with her at marriage.

I always liked the idea of a private collection of things gathered by an individual over time that were to honour some significant event, or just to carry together through life. To honour one's life.
like amulets and jewellery

Caravanserai ring

caravanserai n., pl. (in the Near East) a kind of inn for the accommodation of caravans (def. 3), usu. a large building surrounding a spacious court.

Caravel ring

caravel n. Hist. a kind of small three-masted ship used esp. by the Spaniards and the Portuguese.

The stories that go with these rings are all about travel.
I recently brought a book Nomad by Sibella Court, which helped to inspire the names for these rings. This book is about bringing your travels home.

Jewellery is like a travelling story; it collects vignettes and memories as an individual wears each piece.
I don't think that preciousness is confined to materials. Preciousness is about people. And associations between people and events and places and memories.
I like to use a collection of stones in one piece, because there is never just one side to any story. And different stories contain different things, like fragments of songs and smells and other things that cannot be explained in just one way.

All of these rings will be making their way to e.g.etal in the next couple of months.

I also did a series of sketches which accompanied these rings, I will post these when I have images of them.

Forces of Nature

2011-11-18T22:12:00.001+11:00

Forces of Nature, an exhibition curated by Melissa Keys, opened in Washington at the Embassy of Australia Gallery this week.

Forces of Nature features work by Tessa Blazey, Julie Blyfield, Sarah Elson, Aunti Corrie Fullard, Marian Hosking, Nicky Hepburn & IIka White, Jeanette James, Sue Kneebone, Carlier Makigawa, Aubrey Tigan, Catherine Truman and myself.

This is the work I sent to this exhibition.

Rockpool ring 2011

Sterling silver, Australian natural blue sapphires, chrome tourmalines

Recollection ring 2011

Sterling silver, Australian blue sapphires, smoky quartz

Leaf seed pod ring 2011

Sterling silver, Australian blue sapphires, purple sapphire, pink Australian sapphire

Colony pendant 2011

Sterling silver, enamel paint

Width of pendant – 55mm

Height of pendant – 80mm

Journey pendant 2011

Sterling silver, enamel paint

Width of pendant – 90mm

Height of pendant – 45mm

Marengo beach pendant 2011

Sterling silver, enamel paint

Width of pendant – 55mm

Height of pendant – 75mm

the exhibition is on until February 2012

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RMIT 2011

2011-11-16T21:18:00.001+11:00

this opened yesterday!

Work Hardened
RMIT 1st and 2nd year Gold & Silversmithing students
Spill Art Space, Level 4, 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

16th-26th November

It was Like a Fever

RMIT Gold and Silversmithing Graduating student exhibition

23 November - 4 December 2011

No Vacancy Gallery

34 – 40 Jane Bell Lane, Melbourne

2011-11-16T21:07:00.000+11:00

18ct yellow gold Fortune ring set with white diamonds

this ring was delivered to Studio Ingot last week

Thin Random ring with white and champagne diamonds

2011-11-15T10:25:00.000+11:00

18ct yellow gold Thin Random ring set with white and champagne diamonds, and a ruby on the inside

This ring is at e.g.etal

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Milly and Humphrey

2011-11-13T15:49:00.000+11:00

went for a walk

photos by Anna D

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Aurora ring with sapphires and diamonds

2011-11-11T07:09:00.001+11:00

18ct white gold Aurora ring with Ceylon sapphires and white diamonds

I normally set all white diamonds in this ring

I thought that adding some blue to the white might be more 'celestial'

the blues are slightly different hues, which is always my preference, so that you can see both individually

this ring is on it's way to e.g.etal today

2011-11-10T12:14:00.000+11:00

it has been busy lately
all I feel like doing at the moment though, is make things out of pipecleaners
I have had to put them where I can't see them, so I can get my other work done
(this doesn't seem to have stopped me taking pictures of them)

Random ring

2011-11-04T15:29:00.001+11:00

18ct rose gold set with white and champagne diamonds, pink and purple and blue sapphires
and ruby

this ring was a special order for a lovely couple

Vicki Mason : Botanical Fictions

2011-11-03T08:27:00.000+11:00

new work by Vicki Mason, Botanical Fictions, opens at e.g.etal tonight.

“Plants have the potential to tell stories about our lives and the societies we live in.”

Vicki is enthralled by plants as subject matter and the potential they have to tell stories about our lives and the societies we live in. Her new series of works, ‘Botanical Fictions’, feature an ornamental vocabulary of plant-based forms that Vicki developed over the period of her recent study.

The works combine mixtures of materials and processes. Remnant plastics from the stationery industry are used alongside thread and various metals to create jewellery. Low-tech domestic craft processes and various textile and metal processes/techniques (both hand-fabrication and industrial processes) have been mixed in this series. The traditionally clear identities and conceptual frameworks often assigned to these materials or techniques are blurred and questioned.

text and image from e.g.etal

opening night: Thursday 3 November, 6pm - 8pm

e.g.etal, 167 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

exhibition dates: Monday 31 October - Tuesday 15 November 2011

engravings and stones

2011-10-31T11:02:00.000+11:00

18ct yellow gold ring with hand engraving, set with diamonds, rubies and pink sapphires

2011-10-27T16:19:00.001+11:00

I have just finished 6 works which are on their way to Washington to an exhibition that I am in.
This will be the first time that I have shown work in America.
I will post images of the work and information on the exhibition shortly

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light

2011-10-26T18:45:00.000+11:00

different house
different light
same things, yet everything looks different
almost like going on holiday at home, seeing the same things in a new way

Tinker Tailor Soldier exhibition

2011-10-25T13:06:00.001+11:00

image by artisan

‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’ is an exhibition on at the moment at artisan in Queensland. It opened last month in Brisbane and is a touring exhibition - until 2013!
The exhibition was curated by Kirsten Fitzpatrick

This exhibition contains 100 brooches by 100 Australian jewellers, celebrating the lives of 100 significant women in this country’s history.

Above is an image of my brooch that I made for this exhibition.

The woman that I was given was Agnes Buntine (1822 - 1896)

artisan asked a number of questions in relation to the brooch produced. Here are my responses:

How did you respond to your significant Australian woman / explain the concept behind your brooch

The Australian woman I had was Agnes Buntine c.1822-1896, a pastoralist and bullocky. After researching her history I initially thought that the best way to represent her was with quite a large brooch, very simple and graphic. The more I thought about her, the more my initial design concept changed. I felt that the easy interpretation of this strong and unconventional woman would be to use industrial/raw materials such as steel and wood, in a big bold brooch.

Then I thought that even though Agnes led an unconventional life, she was born in Scotland in the 1800s and would have been raised with all the expectations that a woman was to have within that era. So even though she ended up running bullock teams and working within male dominated trades, she was still a woman of a particular era.

I think that a woman such as Agnes Buntine would possibly have had small keepsakes that were precious to her. So my brooch design echoes Victorian jewellery, smaller in scale, with intricate details. The metal details on the side of the brooch reference early Australian gold jewellery which often had bouquets of local flowers.

I deliberately ' aged' the metal, parts are worn through, so that the brooch is not 'perfect'; that through wear the brooch may have changed. That there was a history to the brooch.

I have engraved scroll patterns around the frame of the brooch, again referencing the era that Agnes lived in. Around the bezel holding the wood, I engraved the warp and weft of fabric, a motif that I frequently used referring to the nature of materials to tell a story.

I wanted there to be a slight discomfort between the bezel holding the wood and the rest of the brooch as the different roles that Agnes Buntine would have had were often in conflict with each other; that as a wife and mother, a bullocky and pastoralist.

Explain any particular significance of materials used if applicable

I chose to use wood to reference Agnes Buntine’s profession as a bullocky. I cut the wood in a circle shape to echo that of a wheel.

I chose to set small citrines in the brooch to reference the fact that Agnes was born in Scotland. Citrines were frequently used in Scottish jewellery, especially in the Victorian era.

The hand painted detail references Victorian textiles and wallpaper, dense intricate details that were used in domestic interiors.

materials used in the brooch:

sterling silver, citrines, wood, enamel paint, wood, stainless steel

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor
30 September - 12 November 2011

artisan
381 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley, QLD

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inspiration

2011-10-24T15:06:00.000+11:00

photo by Yumiko Froehlich

Maurizio Anzeri

all images from here

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bench

2011-10-23T13:51:00.000+11:00

sapphires

2011-10-22T11:22:00.001+11:00

2 natural Australian sapphires
up side down

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what is she doing in there?

2011-10-21T13:27:00.000+11:00

What is Anna Davern up to?
why is she being so secretive? I will have to investigate

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2011-10-21T07:54:00.000+11:00

photo from Notes from More & Co.
cutouts from awf via Primoeza

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Locutions ( the loved object); work on paper

2011-10-20T11:45:00.000+11:00

this was one of 10 works on paper in my exhibition Loctiuons (the loved object).
watercolour, pencil and aluminum foil

the work keeps changing according to the light source

inspiration

2011-10-19T07:27:00.000+11:00

Diatoms

Damselfly’s Eye

Primordium

Spirogyra

beetle leg

episcopic illuminations

from Catherine Willis via Amazing Stuffs via rhamphotheca

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Celebration ring with tanzanite

2011-10-18T09:56:00.000+11:00

9ct white gold Celebration ring set with a tanzanite

Precious ring

2011-10-17T22:08:00.000+11:00

18ct rose gold Precious ring, set with white and champagne diamonds

this ring went to Studio Ingot

Locutions ( the loved object)

2011-10-14T15:43:00.000+11:00

My exhibition, Locutions ( the loved object), closes this Saturday.
Craft Victoria have put images of the exhibition on the website, you can see them here

2011-10-11T08:23:00.001+11:00

stained glass reflection in drop of water

image from Catherine Willis
via

sweetpeapath, gel-creations, via lisawhitehare

life

2011-10-07T12:38:00.000+11:00

I have just moved house and studio.

It has been a very busy time.
The day I set up my exhibition I came home and started to pack.
As a result I am a little behind with things, yet am slowly catching up.
Thank you to those who have shown much patience with me in regards to my business and correspondence. It should be full steam ahead ( once I have unpacked my tools.)

Also, tomorrow at Craft Victoria, there will be artist talks from 2pm.
My exhibition will be on until Saturday 15 October, hope that you will be able to make it.
Will have more images once I have found my camera.

Locutions ( the loved object)

2011-09-30T21:36:00.001+10:00

thank you to Melbourne Jeweller and clog for writing on my exhibition

image from clog

Locutions ( the loved object) is on until 15th October
I hope to have more installation images next week

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Pledge ring

2011-09-26T21:48:00.000+10:00

18ct white gold Large Pledge ring set with natural Australian parti sapphire

I think that this is a beautiful stone, the colour changes in different light. It is a deep blue with some green tones, like a sea pool

this ring was delivered to e.g.etal about 2 weeks ago

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2011-09-25T06:50:00.000+10:00

I really like these pictures

from the Selby

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Random ring

2011-09-22T22:39:00.001+10:00

18ct yellow gold Random ring set with white and champagne diamonds, pink and blue sapphires.
I wanted this ring to be about all these colours, yellow, brown, white, pink and blue. They sit well together, and allow each colour to be seen.

this ring was delivered to e.g.etal this week

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untitled (bird cylinder and box )

2011-09-21T20:55:00.000+10:00

untitled ( bird cylinder and box)

Copper, sterling silver, enamel paint, stainless steel wire, sterling silver lemel

all photos by Andrew Barcham

work at Craft Victoria until 15th October 2011

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untitled ( 3 wine cups )

2011-09-20T15:17:00.000+10:00

untitled ( 3 wine cups based on 2^nd century BC Chinese wine cups)

copper, enamel paint

1. white wine cup detail : whitework Scottish 19^th Century embroidery; engravings taken from illuminated manuscripts by Hildegard of Bingen

2. blue wine cup detail : Yoruba textile; engraving from a 16^th Century English embroidery

3. black wine cup detail : Tanshifa 18th Century Algiers embroidery; engravings from a 19^th Century Chinese embroidery

untitled ( 3 sided box)

2011-09-19T18:24:00.000+10:00

untitled ( 3 sided box)

Copper, enamel paint, stainless steel wire

at Craft Victoria until 15 October 2011

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untitled ( bird box )

2011-09-18T19:27:00.000+10:00

untitled (bird box)

copper, stainless steel wire, balsa wood, paper, glitter, enamel paint

This is the second object in the Locutions ( the loved object) series.
It is approximately 250mm high

all photograpghs by Andrew Barcham

Locutions (the loved object) is at on at Craft Victoria until October 15th 2011

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untitled (amulet box)

2011-09-16T15:49:00.000+10:00

untitled ( amulet box)

copper, sterling silver, fine silver, enamel paint, stainless steel wire, amethyst, moonstone, turquoise, tourmaline, opal, citrine, garnet

This is the first box in the Locution ( the loved object) series.

box n. 1. a case or receptacle with a lid… a small shelter

“ the past... has it’s spaces, it’s paths, it’s nameplaces, and it’s monuments…”

Merleau Ponty

cante ( song) – the cante expresses a collective feeling through an individual

it is what you do with the materials that makes it precious

‘ Like the sliver of bone that becomes a holy relic; so the objects are transformed by the presence of the believer, by the one who writes their stories: they become the vehicles for our dreams, the mediums of our memories.’

Antonia Payne (Avoided Object)

all photos by Andrew Barcham

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Locutions ( the loved object)

2011-09-15T21:45:00.003+10:00

Locutions (the loved object) is now open at Craft Victoria

This exhibition is composed of two bodies of work; the first being 14 works on paper
- 4 large collages and 10 small watercolours.
The second body of work comprises of 8 metal objects.

Collages – 760mm width x 560mm length
watercolour, ink, paper

Collages – 760mm width x 560mm length
ink, paper,sterling silver lemel

Collages – 760mm width x 560mm length
ink, paper, aluminum foil, sterling silver lemel

Collages – 760mm width x 560mm length
ink, paper, aluminum foil

watercolour and pencil - 240mm x 320mm

detail

watercolour and pencil - 240mm x 320mm

detail

detail

more images to follow

The exhibition runs until 15 October 2011, I hope that you will be able to make it.

Handmadelife

2011-09-06T19:50:00.001+10:00

thank you

http://handmadelife.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-of-year.html

2011-09-04T19:21:00.000+10:00

gratitude

2011-09-02T20:10:00.002+10:00

there is much at the moment I am thankful for
this includes many people in my life

I have almost finished this body of work that has been a long time in the making

making this work has also made me realise how much I love working with metal, and then paper and paint. The two sit equally together for me.

I spent a period of time last year questioning whether this creative life was really for me. But these forms that I had started called me back to making, and I don't think now that I could stop even if I tried.

I would like to thank Ramona Barry who instigated this exhibition finding a home after I lost representation and my solo show with Dickerson gallery.
Ramona has been an incredible support to me and she is opening my exhibition.

I would also like to thank Bec Jobson and Nella Themelios for supporting this work to be exhibited at Craft Victoria.

I would like to thank David Searle at NMIT and Mark Edgoose at RMIT for allowing me access to the studios at both institutions.
A change in scale requires different tools and my workshop caters for jewellery scale.

Then there is:
Grattan, Ellen, Cheryl and Mandy et al
Gemma, Stacey, Liz, Jacqui, Michael, Robyn, Anna D, Nick, Belinda, that are part of my daily life, among many others.

Carmelo Ortuso is my graphic designer and I trust him wholeheartedly with my work. He is also very dear to me.

Most of all I thank Anna Clynes, who has assisted me on these objects when I have needed a second pair of hands. I can not thank her enough for her support.

Exhibition : Locutions ( the loved object) new work by Katherine Bowman‏‏

2011-09-01T19:07:00.000+10:00

Untitled 2010
collage
560mm width x 760mm length

here is the invitation to my exhibition

please click on the link to see the details:

http://www.bit.ly/nY29Qj

GALLERY ONE

Katherine Bowman
Locutions (The Loved Object)

OPENING Thursday 8 September, 6-8pm

SHOWING 9 September – 15 October 2011

ARTISTS' TALKS Saturday 8 October, 2pm

At Craft Victoria

31 Flinders Lane Melbourne

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U

Untitled 2010
collage
760mm width x 560mm length

semi precious

2011-08-28T18:13:00.000+10:00

Pledge ring with white diamond

2011-08-27T17:35:00.000+10:00

18ct white gold Pledge ring set with white diamond

this ring is available at e.g.etal

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one week and a bit

2011-08-25T21:14:00.000+10:00

one week and a bit until my exhibition at Craft Victoria
there is a lot to do
thank you to my various jobs for giving me time off to get this work done

Large Pledge ring with pink spinel and diamonds

2011-08-23T19:00:00.001+10:00

18ct yellow gold Large Pledge ring set with spinel and white diamonds

I delivered this special ring to e.g.etal last week.

It is very special because the stone is an unusual colour which was why I brought it, I can not get another one the same, so it is a real 'one off'.
It is a happy, pretty ring

Nefertari's tomb

2011-08-18T11:47:00.001+10:00

images from here

my research for my exhibition has taken me to many places.
This is a place that I have returned to many times.

The stars cover the whole ceiling of the tomb of Nefertari.

the text that accompanies the above images states:

Underground Stars

In the end, turn your gaze upwards, toward the ceiling of Nefertari’s underground chamber. To see a blue field full of stars.... They are not arrayed to imitate the constellations, but in rows multiplying horizontal and vertical patterns from wall to wall of the tomb. As if what is depicted is not the literal sky but endless permutation itself, infinity.

Close-up, we can see the precise (and precisely different) brush-strokes that make up individual stars. Think about it: the variations in the painter’s gestures---the pressure of hand and brush on the ceiling-surface during a single moment many millennia ago---are just about as infinite as the stars themselves. All made by a long-dead painter or painters as they went about their mortal, immortal labor.

image from here

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Alexander McQueen

2011-08-17T18:19:00.001+10:00

I wish I could have seen this exhibition

all images from Garance Dore

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum

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bravery bandana

2011-08-16T12:40:00.000+10:00

On Friday Milly spent the day at the Vets.
When I picked her up she came out wearing this bravery bandana.
I don't think that she looks very brave.

Anna, Cass and Nicky

2011-08-15T15:53:00.001+10:00

an event not to be missed!

three of my favourite jewellers

Anna Davern

Cass Partington

and Nicky Hepburn

are having an open studio/ garage sale. This is also part of Craft Cubed

20 August 2011 10 -5pm

Carlow House

289 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

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2011-08-12T18:53:00.000+10:00

via here

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2011-08-11T15:09:00.001+10:00

Wonky wedder with diamonds

2011-08-10T21:58:00.001+10:00

18ct yellow gold Wonky wedder with diamonds

18ct white gold Pledge ring with sapphire and diamonds

both rings went to e.g.etal

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The Weekly Review

2011-08-09T10:10:00.002+10:00

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There is an article on my work in the Weekly Review.

You can read the article here.

Thank you to Stephanie Williams for thinking of me.

the sun / the sea

sterling silver, enamel paint, beads

length c. 450mm, width c. 70mm round, and 10mm deep

the fall

sterling silver, yellow gold plate, enamel paint, beads

length c. 450mm,, width c. 70mm round, and 10mm deep

both Figment pieces are available at e.g.etal

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details

2011-08-08T07:08:00.000+10:00

details of a brooch that I have made for an exhibition in Brisbane that opens next month.
Information and full image to follow

2011-08-07T17:41:00.000+10:00

Pledge ring

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2011-08-04T19:18:00.000+10:00

collected on a walk at the Merri Creek

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Practice as a Site for Enquiry II: Hybrid, RMIT

2011-08-04T19:09:00.000+10:00

Practice as a Site for Enquiry II: Hybrid, is a one day seminar presented by RMIT Gold & Silversmithing and Ceramics, part of Craft Cubed.

Very interesting speakers

Tuesday 23 August 2011

RMIT Kaleide Theatre
350 Swanston Street Melbourne
$25 / $15 students

Anita Cummins, Draw the line

2011-08-03T20:12:00.001+10:00

new work by Anita Cummins in a solo show, Draw the line

Draw the line is a material investigation into how obsessive-compulsive drawing and collecting can be explored through spatial practice. This project begins with a packet of textas and a box of sedimentary packaging amassed for re-purposing. Throughout the repetitive and spontaneous mark-making process, a delicate balance is sought between knowledge-based and intuitive decisions in relation to colour and spatial arrangements. Combinations are discovered or revisited and as the packet of textas is pushed to the limit, some colours remain saturated while others begin to fade over time. The resulting work forms a celebratory offering in the surrendering to addictive behaviours in art production.


				opening : Tuesday August 16, 6-9pm

BUS Projects
Basement Level, Donkey Wheel House, 673 Bourke Street

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Inari Kiuru, Creme exhibition RMIT

2011-08-03T19:13:00.000+10:00

RMIT G&S fundraising auction and lecture

2011-08-02T18:31:00.001+10:00

more information here

Wednesday 31 August 6 - 7.30pm
RMIT Casey Plaza Theatre
adult $10, concession $5

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boxes of sorts

2011-07-31T21:18:00.001+10:00

3 boxes/amulets that I have had for many years

the first, a turquoise and coral pendant/box
the second a gift from India,
the third I can not remember where I got it from, I think that it is also from India

I like that you can work out how they have been made just by looking at them
also, they are all designed to hold something, so they are not just about what they look like, but have an intention

An anthology devoted to small boxes, such as chests and caskets, would constitute an important chapter in psychology.These complex pieces that a craftsman creates are very evident witnesses of the need for secrecy, of an intuitive sense of hiding places. It is not merely a matter of keeping a possession well guarded. The lock doesn't exist that could resist absolute violence, and all locks are an invitation to thieves. A lock is a psychological threshold...

Gaston Bachelard, The Poetics of Space, drawers, chests and wardrobes

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afternoon sun

2011-07-29T15:43:00.000+10:00