My last jewellery works for 2016 were very… striking?
There’s a few things already on the agenda for 2017, so here, in an attempt at chronological order:
In March I’m headed to Munich for Jewellery Week, as I got into Schmuck with The Drone work! (Full listing of participants on Klimt02) Let me know if you’re heading over so I can look out for you, eh? (Unless you already have, and tbh, you probably did…)
The Shared Concerns exhibition hits Bilk in Canberra in April/May
I’m in an exhibition called Drawing the Line at Facèré here in Seattle, also starting in April.
I’m curating an exhibition for the Enamelist Society conference at Arrowmont this year. Emerging enamelists beware, I’ll be getting on contact with a tight deadline very, very soon.
I have preliminary plans to hit Radiant Pavilion in August/September in Melbourne, where I’m hoping to bring some United States of America-ns to town with me. We’ll be opening/showing Shared Concerns at Bini.
I hope you all had joyful solstice and New Year celebrations too 😉
Hey Vancouver! I’m coming to see you this coming week, starting on Thursday for the opening of Unexpected, and then I’m going to participate in a panel talk with some other exhibitors:
UNEXPECTED OPENING
November 24 6 – 8
CCBC Gallery
1386 Cartwright St, Vancouver BC
UNEXPECTED explores the strange and sometimes discordant elements that make the viewing, wearing, and making of Contemporary Jewellery an enjoyable endeavor.
The unexpected and Contemporary Art Jewellery are by no means strange bedfellows- viewers and wearers of Contemporary Jewellery often seek out our discipline because it is unusual and extra-ordinary. The unusual, and unusual elements and materials, have become de rigueur in a creative world that continues to embrace post-disciplinary art practices which move beyond medium centered approaches to making.
… to the presentation I’m doing tomorrow on the SnagSpark theme of holistic practice (where I’ll go into how and why to sustain your creative existence and ways to attain and maintain flow from 3:45pm at the On Broadway Arts Building) I’ve also been added to the 20/20 lineup for Friday night.
“What is this 20/20 that you speak of, Melissa?”
I’m so glad you asked! This Friday, May 20th from 7:00-10:00pm at the On Broadway Arts Building (49 Broadway Ave) in Asheville there has been added a group of 20 x 7 minute slide presentations where people are going to “Show us their vision.” More specifically, I’m going to talk about my recent solo show Body Politic that took place earlier this year at Gallery Bilk in Canberra.
I’ve lots of things to say about the show, the work and the inspiration for each work, and only a tiny time to do it in (SEVEN MINUTES!!) so come watch me talk my own face red trying to squeeze too many words into far to little time. I’m on second so y’all better be on time!!
And of course, let’s not forget the Trunk Show – 3pm – 6pm in the Grand Ballroom at The Renaissance on Saturday.
I’m in a tiny show at The Vatican at studio e which opens on Saturday night in Seattle’s Georgetown neighbourhood. The space is viewable 24-7 at 609 S Brandon street, Seattle WA 98108. Make plans quick to join me on Saturday May 7th at the opening from 6-9pm.
studio e gallery hours:
May 13th - June 4th
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1-6pm
also open late Saturday May 14th for Georgetown Art Walk 6-9 pm
Shared Concerns is open at Penland Galleries! For those of y’all heading to SNAGneXt in Asheville you should budget an hour each way to reach Penland. My plan is currently to car pool, and I’ll be heading out there on Sunday the 22nd of May. Look forward to seeing you there! If you do want to head to this year’s amped up SNAG (and see my *brilliant* presentation) you’d better snap to it – tickets now only available at the door.
You’ll find me in Canberra next week for the opening of the Body Politic exhibition, where I’ll also be giving a lecture and having a chat with the Gold and Silversmithing students at ANU on Friday afternoon.
From the work HEAT, (1 of 3) 2015 Spatter neckpiece (480mm x 480mcm – 19″ x 19″) Stainless steel, vitreous enamel, titanium. Image Melissa Cameron.From the work HEAT, (1 of 3) 2015 Strike 9 wall-mounted panels (565mm x 565mm – 22 3/16″ x 22 3/16″) Stainless steel, vitreous enamel. Image Melissa Cameron.From the work HEAT, (1 of 3) 2015 Penetration brooch (100mm x 85mm x 10mm – 3.9 x 3.4 x 0.4″) Stainless steel, vitreous enamel. Photograph Melissa Cameron.
The Heat Exchange II show has just opened in Scotland over the weekend, where it will stay until the end of February 2016. A slew of associated events are scheduled to coincide, including a symposium the weekend of the 19th of Feb (**hint hint**, if you’re in the area!) Art Jewelry Forum have just last week published part three of my five-part series of Material Concerns, wherein I talk about the wall of enamels on display in the Künstlerwerkstätten (artists’ workshops) in Erfurt in Germany. How are these connected, I hear you ponder aloud…? Well, the Künstlerwerkstätten is where I hung out with a bunch of the other Heat Exchange participants last year for a couple of weeks, as together we made, or at least trialed, enamel pieces for this touring exhibition.
In the end I made a new series of works earlier this year to send to Europe for the HE adventure, but a selection of the works I made in Erfurt, entitled Jewel for a Wall are currently in Bright! at Rose Turk-o in Richmond.
Screen capture of a google map with location data on American jewellery schools
When I moved to the US I was quickly introduced to some of the finer points of the US education system, thanks to the Brigitte Martin co-organised Think Tank that I was a participant of, at Touchstone Center for Crafts in June of 2012.
It was before then, or perhaps at about that time, that I started compiling a map of US jewellery/metals programs in universities/colleges around the country. It’s a complex thing, as some schools have what is termed a ‘metals concentration’, while many others have a couple of jewellery units available to their undergrad students (sometimes taught by jewellers, but sometimes a part of a sculpture or crafts department, for example, and taught by other artists), without offering the ability to major in metals or jewellery. Needless to say, it’s quite different to my Australian experience, and since I’m inexpert at the differences between the two offerings, it likely has effected the composition of my map.
Based on a presentation at SNAG this year, I think there might be other similar compilations floating around, and given that it’s quite possible I’ve made incorrect judgements, (I did start out on the very conservative side, thus the current listing is only 19 schools and does not yet include Canada) if you have seen/own a better list please let me know and I’ll post it up here in this one’s place. Or if you have anything to add to this list, please email me for permission to edit and we’ll get them on there!
I know I promised a SNAG wrap-up; I just wanted to get this out there as I’ve been thinking about it since SNAG, and it might help answer a question from an email I recently received 😉
Going to be in Boston for the SNAG conference this week? Come say hi! Not going to be there? Follow along with the shenanigans on Instagram or Twitter by following @thejewellist (t) or @thejewellist (i).
Don’t know/care what I’m talking about with all that #@ nonsense? Then stay with me here on the blog and I’ll wrap it up at the end of the weekend. But for those of you needing a hit beforehand, here’s the skinny on where I’m going to be…
1/ OK, first up, permit me one more hashtag while I explain what I’m going to be doing on Friday:
#STICKITSNAG
Collect- from our Artist-Agents (announced soon)
Photograph- on yourself or a friend
Hashtag- #stickitsnag
Post (fb/insta/twitter)
It’s a secret no more! I’m an Artist-Agent (always wanted to be agent melissa!) for Platforma’s 2015 #STICKITSNAG SNAG adventure. Come get yourself a sticker from me any time on Friday, put it on, snap a pic and post it – oh and hashtag yourself and the gorgeous work/non-work. And might I add, one of those images is actually a work from me… It’s simultaneously the most/least effort I’ve ever put into a pin-swap 😉
2/ My video (need I remind you?!) is IN COMPETITION! I’m keen to get it played in front of a whole auditorium of my peers – am I? Well, lets say I am, and let’s say you could be a decisive figure in actioning my wish.
I know, actioning?
3/ Trunk Show!!
The Sieve Pattern of 2010, lasercut in Arches watercolour paper, 2015, along with a work from The Sieve series, Layered Window, 2010-2015, stainless steel.
I have amassed a beautiful collection of my Sieve series works – including some rare 2015 jewels that I recently made made from parts that I had been holding on to for a rainy day – and today I’ve taken delivery of a limited edition set of full-sized laser-engraved prints of the Sieve pattern from my laser-cutter, all of which will be for sale at the Trunk Show this coming Saturday! The laser-engraved prints pictured are full size and in miniature, with the smaller versions to be packaged with works sold at SNAG only!
(I had a copy of this pattern pasted on my wall over my computer in Australia, under which I had written and signed “When I die I want this pattern etched onto my casket.” That’s how proud I was of this work/how much I love this pattern.)
All of these, along with some pieces from the One Design Series (yup – as shown in the video above) as well as a few earrings and pieces from the La Geometrie Series will be on display this Saturday, so if you’ve every wanted to check out an array of my all stainless and titanium works, Saturday is the day.
The TrunkShow will be held on the 23rd of May in the Plaza Ballroom with VIP entry from 3:30 pm and open to all from 4:30pm – 6:30pm. Not at the conference? No worries! Come along – we’re at the The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Tower, 50 Park Plaza at Arlington St. Boston, MA 02116
And for those of you who are nowhere near the conference – let’s talk. Email me for a price list.
“San Título”, courtesy of Cristina Celis and Sin Título
Two things..
– Sin Título is opening their new studios in Mexico City tomorrow night, and with it they open an exhibition of jewellery for their patron saint, San Título. (Head back in time and read what happened when I met with them last year, and the event that kicked off this collaboration.) During last year Part B teamed up with Sin Título to work on a project together. We have created jewels for the saint, photographed them in Melbourne (and Seattle…) and these will now be displayed on the walls of Sin Título’s new digs in their first studio exhibiton. If you’re in Mexico, please check it out!
Jueves 30 de abril – 7pm
“Sin Título” Estudio de Joyería
Dr. Mora 9, 2o piso interior 22
Centro, Cuauhtémoc
México, D.F.
– A quick reminder that I’m giving an artist lecture tomorrow night at Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.
“Join artist-jeweler Melissa Cameron as she presents her work through images and words in the BIMA Auditorium. This event is a special Meet the Artist presentation in conjunction with her 2014 Artist Fellowship through Artist Trust. Thu, Apr. 30, 2015 6:30pm — 8:30pm”
Just a quick heads up: in a month’s time I’m giving an artist lecture at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art on Bainbridge Island just across the sound from Seattle, in Washington, presented by Artist Trust.
