7th November - 2nd February 2003

Diverse Jewels from the Continent

YORKSHIRE LIFE

December 2002

Bedecked and Bejewelled
Pushing the boundaries of contemporary craft jewellery, Kath Libbert Jewellery has earned a strong reputation for its exhibitions of work by British and European jewellers. The gallery's latest exhibition includes the work of nine jewellery designers from Holland, Germany and Spain along with four British jewellers.
Dutch designer Felieke van der Leest's brooches, necklaces and bracelets are crocheted and knitted with very fine thread and Welsh designer Julia Griffiths Jones crafts aluminium and steel to resemble textile techniques such as quilting, patchwork, lace and embroidery. Other designers in the exhibition use unusual materials such as rubber and paper to create surprisingly delicate pieces of jewellery.
Until 31st Jan 2003, Kath Libbert Jewellery Gallery, Salt's Mill, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, lOam to 6pm. Tel: 01274599790

LEEDS GUIDE

November 2002

Continental Guilt
We may not have the Euro yet, but at least we can still buy the best in European jewellery
Set in Salts Mill, the elegant Victorian textile mill in Saltaire, Kath Libbert established her gallery in 1996 to exhibit the best in innovative and contemporary jewellery. As well as the regular designers, this month at the gallery there is a chance to see the latest exhibition: Euromix, an exhibition of contemporary work put on show by several European designers.
Described as "miniature masterpieces" the collection of jewellery uses many media, including pieces made out of paper, lace and embroidery. The designs also incorporate more traditional uses of several metals including pewter, copper and brass.
The Spanish jeweller Lalli Mensa has provided items that are especially feminine with delicate pieces incorporating silver work with pearls and coral flowers. Bolder designs include use of brightly coloured rubber by the German designer Claudia Ruehl and coiled paper neck and arm pieces by Nel Linssen.
The exhibition has something to appeal to everyone's taste in jewellery in what is promised to be an eclectic and tactile show bringing together some of Europe's top designers.
7 November to 31 January, Kath Libbert Jewellery, Saltaire
Emily Thomas

METRO

7 November 2002

Q&A Kath Libbert
After spending more than 20 years as a practising psychologist, Kath Libbert (pictured) quit her counselling job in Leeds to pursue her other love - jewellery - full time. She is the founder of contemporary jewellery gallery Kath Ubbert Jewetlery, and her new exhibition, EuroMix: Jewels From The Continent, starts today.
What's the link between psychology and jewellery? They're both very creative in different ways, but I'm not sure why I made the leap from psychology to jewellery! I suppose it's because it's tangible and crafted. I feel an affinity with the larger exhibition pieces. I find jewellery challenging and stimulating - and the projects I'm working on now are very liberating.
Do you psychoanalyse every piece of jewellery that comes into your gallery? Certainly not! But I do use the same skills - connecting with people is very important for building good relationships with designers.
What do you look for in a jewellery designer? I look for people who are doing something a little bit different. In our new exhibition, we have pieces by Felieke Van Der Leest, whose jewellery is crocheted. I also look for unusual materials, spirit, humour and discipline. All the jewellers we've exhibited have been very disciplined. I'm not so much driven by the commercial side of things - first and foremost it has to be exciting.
You tend to exhibit more European than British designers. Why's that? Well, firstly, I like to combine my work with travel - I like to bring things back that have excited me when I've gone travelling - and there is such exciting work in Europe. They have different training and a different temperament.
Justine Brooks
Today until Jan 3, Kath Libbert Jewellery. Salts Mill, VICtoria Road, Saltaire, daily 10am to 6pm, free.
TeI: 01274 599790

YORKSHIRE POST

4 November 2002

Jewel in the town...
Colourful crochet, coiled paper and stitching in wire are among the techniques on show at an exhibition of jewels from around Europe.
The EuroMix show, which opens at the Kath Libbert gallery at Salt's Mill, Saltaire, near Bradford on November 7, brings together the work of nine top jewellery designers from Holland, Germany and Spain, as well as four British jewellers and metalsmiths.
Among the exhibits is a life-size dress created by Welsh designer Julia Griffiths-Jones, using brightly-coloured swirls, shapes, flowers and creatures made from aluminium and steel - being modelled here by Fran Dodgson.
The metals are coiled, bent, twisted and painted to resemble textile techniques.
EuroMix runs until January 31. For further information, contact the gallery on 01274 599790.
Picture: Simon Hulme.

Findings, January 2003 review of *Euromix*

FINDINGS - The Association for Contemporary Jewellery's quarterly newsletter. January 2003

Euromix: Diverse Jewels from the Continent

Kath Libbert Jewellery, Salts Mill, Saltaire 7 November-3 February

Euromix brings together a diverse collection of unique works from twelve European and four British designer jewellers and metalsmiths. Kath Libbert's shows are always interesting to visit and the show is a feast of colour, with strong form and texture employing a variety of materials and techniques. It is both stimulating and inspiring: some pieces embrace humour, many explore unique innovation, and all are excellently crafted.

On entering, your eyes were immediately drawn to the amazing wall pieces by Welsh designer Julia Griffith-Jones, life size garments made from aluminium and steel, coiled, bent, twisted and painted to resemble textile techniques such as quilting, patchwork, lace and embroidery. The pieces are spot welded to become exuberant representations of skirts and aprons, smocks and even a vase of flowers.

The Spanish jeweller Tensi Solsona's pieces were intriguing in a Dadaesque fashion. His bold deconstructions of paintbrushes and pencils made into funky ear pieces and brooches delight the viewer. The Dutch work also fascinated me. Rian de Jond's playful miniature wooden and metal shoulder ornaments were inspired by her travels; they are organic and beautiful to touch. Stephanie Jendis' brooches each had a title and were playful, almost childlike with mixed materials brought together in an aesthetically appealing way. Another innovative use of material was in Nel Linssen's paper arm and neck pieces, ingeniously folded paper discs creating tactile, sometimes shimmering flickers of colour.

German jeweller Erik Urbschat's stylish and classical pieces were beautifully made. His unconventional 'Hedgehog' ring begs the viewer to touch the mobile spines. Another innovative design was that of his revolving interlocking rings almost like globes, swirling around off the finger but superbly executed precision pieces when worn.

Kath Libbert comments: 'Euromix is largely the result of my own travels throughout Europe over the past few years and the pieces on show are a selection of some of the most original and accomplished work that I've seen. It's also a way of marking the year of the Euro, bringing together at Salts Mill some of Europe's top designers in a vibrant show celebrating our creative diversity.' I can highly recommend a visit to this refreshing and diverse exhibition - it's on till early February. Eve Redmond

€uromix

Great Yorkshire Talent

Distinto-Distinct