AN EXHIBITION OF EXUBERANT FLORAL JEWELLERY

15th July - 26th Sept 2010

IntoFlora

An exhibition of exuberant floral jewellery by eight internationally recognised contemporary jewellers, featuring special I'm Into... pieces created in honour of famous personalities who have inspired them.

Says Kath Libbert, ‘The work of the eight artists I’ve chosen is truly a floral feast for the eyes! And as a bonus their I’m Into… pieces offer a fascinating insight into their processes of inspiration.’

The artists and their Inspiration:

Up-and-coming British jeweller Mikaela Lyons has created a sumptuously colourful collaged body sculpture in honour of Florence Welch of Florence and The Machine. Says Mikaela, ‘The piece encompasses ideas of woman, mother nature and empowerment.’

Jeweller Ana Hagopian from Barcelona presents Campanula, a delicately beautiful tribute to Cate Blanchett – a myriad of purple paper blossoms that sit gracefully on the body.

Natalya Pinchuk, (Russia/USA) makes fantastical jewellery installations from wool, leather, plastic and artificial hair, that both compel and disturb. She cites her inspirational person as the American food activist and author of The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan.

Selina Campbell, (UK) makes her own homage to interiors guru and fabric designer Tricia Guild, whose own designs feature strong floral elements. Selina incorporated dyed freshwater pearls for a splash of colour into a formalised graphic dahlia design. On being asked for her reaction to the necklace, Tricia said she “was very touched to have provided inspiration…..and dahlias are one of my favourite flowers!”

Japanese jewellery maker Masayuki Nagata creates large blossoms from chemically rusted iron, which he then intricately decorates. For this show, he has used camellia buds to form a ring and necklace in honour of the Marxist revolutionary, Che Guevara. He says, ‘Like Che, I share the desire to change things.’

Lisa Juen, (Germany/China), chooses as her inspirational person the provocative Canadian rock star Peaches – whose extreme performances push boundaries in the same way that Lisa Juen’s jewellery does. Lisa makes illuminated flashing neon statement floral jewellery, often using false nails as petals. ‘My fascination with light paired with the imagery of the flower, the symbol of femininity, seduction, sex and strength, found strong support and inspiration in Peaches’ performance.’

Anna Atterling is a Swedish designer who has chosen the director of Cirkus Cirkör, Tilde Björfors. In homage to Tilde, Anna has made a silver crown, which she describes as ‘light, special and sensitive, to match a queen like her.’Says Anna, ‘She is an amazing person. She really makes changes and works with all her heart to make the world a better place.’

Ines Schwotzer’s, (Germany), work is inspired by nature – she uses traditional lace-making techniques to shape steel wire into floral forms and textures that express growing and fading, opening and closing, frailty and tightness. For this project, she has chosen Van Gogh as her inspirational person and has of course made the most exquisite sunflower!

IntoFlora and I’m Into… explore the sensual delights of floral abundance, inviting visitors to take a look into the processes of artistic inspiration and creation. The exhibition will also feature an exclusive Collectors Event on 21st September where Joanna Hardy, a jewellery expert from the BBC Antiques Roadshow and former head of the Jewellery Department at Sotheby’s, will discuss the symbolic use of the flower in jewellery through the ages and Mikaela Lyons, one of the featured jewellers will talk personally about her creative process.