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28/7/2009

Six small stories

Artspace Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg

Opening on the 29 July 2009, Six Small Stories is a group exhibition of contemporary jewellery design at Artspace. The show explores the narrative aspects of jewellery and miniature sculpture.

The exhibition features the well known designers Geraldine Fenn, Liz Loubser, Marchand van Tonder, all of whom have been visiting lecturers at the University of Stellenbosch. They will be exhibiting together with their former students Eric Loubser (BA FA) and Nanette Nell (MA), both recent graduates from the department, and current Masters Student De Villiers Venter. This exhibition provides an opportunity for the six artists to explore the medium of sculpture as well as jewellery, and extend the informal discussions they've been having around contemporary jewellery over the last couple of years.

Geraldine Fenn is a full time jewellery designer based in Johannesburg. She completed her Masters degree in Fine Art at Wits in 2005 and is a founding partner of Tinsel, a retail outlet that features work exclusively from contemporary South African jewellery.

Fenn's work for this exhibition is centered around the centuries-old tradition of the 'memento mori' - "a reminder that we are mortal." The motif of the skeleton and other indicators of decay, feature heavily in her work, alongside images of youth and beauty. The work uses the convention of small sculpture and lockets which present things which are intensely personal and confer preciousness on the things they conceal inside. Says Fenn, "Ultimately, the story I'm trying to tell is about the relationship of the individual to their own mortality - it's a personal story."

Liz Loubser, a distinguished jewellery designer based in Johannesburg draws inspiration from drawings and stories of Bushmen. Using various materials including wood, bone and metal, she translates and interprets their symbols and visual marks. "I design pieces that are ultimately wearable but have a quirkiness that makes the wearer stand out in a crowd." says Loubser.

Marchand van Tonder is currently a lecturer in Jewellery Design at the University of Johannesburg. Being a part of the industry since graduating from the University of Stellenbosh in 1982, has given van Tonder the ability to identify his industry niche, while keeping up with the ever changing trends. Van Tonder defines himself strictly as a contemporary jeweller, a movement where the value of a piece is created by placing emphasis on design rather than something (intrinsic to the material used. This sees van Tonder subvert traditions and norms, such as the placement of decoration under a ring for private rather than public view. Says van Tonder 'I am a genuine thinking designer instead of a genuine decorator'.

Eric Loubser graduated from Stellenbosch University in 2008 and has since been working as a jewellery designer in Johannesburg.

"My work is influenced by cute and pop culture" Says Loubser "Although on the surface my work has a cute and accessible appeal it actually questions the more troubling aspects of our everyday life, such as religion and consumerism. "For this exhibition Loubser will be exploring ways that religion and religious holidays have been exploited by our consumer culture for financial gain.

Nanette Nell graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with an MA in jewellery design. Her work explores the convention of the handbag and looks to decode the idiomatic, metaphorical or symbolic language that emerges from its depths.Says Nel, "I concentrate on the social, cultural and personal history to serve as foundation for the conception of my art works." Her work for this exhibition takes the form of four collections, the Mielie collection and the Protea collection, the Body-Bag collection and the Secrets collection. Pushing the boundaries of contemporary jewellery and fine art practice, Nel's work questions a body-object relationship. She uses well known cultural icons to explore her concepts.

De Villiers Venter graduated in 2005 with a BA in jewellery design at the University of Stellenbosch and is currently completing a Masters degree in Visual Arts at the same institution.

Venter's works for Six Small Stories comprises of several creatures, some inspired by marine biology others simply just a fascination with the strange and odd. According to Venter, "They are like extensions of my psyche; I imagine them to be my guardians and servants."

"I am also interested in the advent of cute and its profligate spread throughout various design fields especially contemporary jewellery and collectible toys."

Opening july 29th 2009

Artspace Fine Art Gallery
3 Hetty Avenue, Fairland - Johannesburg
open from 10h00-17h30 Tuesday - Friday, 10h00- 15h30 on Saturdays.

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