contemporary tasmanian jewellery ― difficult terrain
If you need convincing about contemporary jewellery as an important artform, just take yourself to a surprising exhibition in an old Hobart schoolhouse. Among the treasures you will stumble across are thought-provoking pieces by Handmark favourites.
Not even a break-in the day before opening, could dampen enthusiasm. “The response has been overwhelming, with so many people telling me they never thought jewellery could be so sculptural and different,” organiser Janine Coombes enthuses.
In her first curating role, Janine – a highly acclaimed Handmark jeweller herself – entices ten renowned artists to exhibit at Rosny’s Schoolhouse Gallery. The topic of Difficult Terrain was chosen. “While my work explores Tasmania’s history of colonisation, this concept is broad enough to allow everyone to present a wide diversity of work and ideas.”
Janine turns to torn tin for her interpretation as fellow Handmark jewellers explore different mediums; Anna Weber moulds mesh bags into jewellery; Emily Snadden presents delicate silver pieces; Emma Bugg creates chunky rings from cast form; while acclaimed First Nations artist, Lola Greeno, brings her highly prized maireener shell necklaces: “We wanted to challenge pre-conceived notions of jewellery.” Mission accomplished.
Difficult Terrain: Contemporary Tasmanian Jewellery runs at Hobart’s Schoolhouse Gallery in Rosny until September 24