Broach of the Month Club + Masterworks 2011

We are four months into the third iteration of Broach of the Month Club and there are some interesting conversations shaping up.

brooch by Ross Malcolm

The Overview - September Issue out now

If you are a jewellery geek and not reading the overview.... we need to change that.  Send an email and we'll add you to the list.





This is the fourth outing of Overview and, like
other periodicals that come out at this time,
the September Issue is the biggest one yet.
Big because there are more pages and more
contributors than before, and Big because
it looks at those issues that loom large over
contemporary jewellers in Aoetearoa, New
Zealand. And just like the fashion mags, in
this issue hot items of interest sit alongside the
perennial classics that return every season.
Here at the Guild headquarters there has been a
great deal of discussion surrounding the issues
faced by jewellers year in and year out. Who are
we; what is it we do; and why do we even do it?
Do we need definitive answers we ask? Does
it help to catagorise ourselves and our making
in such a way? And does definition change the
substance of what we do and the impact it can
have? Jewellery is still jewellery whether we call
it craft, art, design or fashion, right? Not so it
transpires, and even within our peer group there
is a wide range of opinions on these matters.
Some align themselves with movements and
groups, while others refuse definition and
believe good work is just that; good work. We
have had disagreements and there has been
awkward silences. Much cake has been eaten.
We suspect that there is no teleological jewellery
truth to which we all aspire. Instead, a number
of positions can mark out a valid spot on the

contemporary jewellery spectrum and it is
where the maker, the curator, the writer; all
invested parties, locate themselves that makes it
interesting. So in this issue we have decided to
make a call, and put our stake(s) in the ground
in the hope that lightening doesn’t strike.
- Raewyn Walsh from the Icebreaker, Overview issue 4, 2011

Free community art workshop!!

Celebrating International Day of Older Persons with free community art workshops!

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Celebrating the International Day of Older Persons (1 October 2011), From Bauhaus to Your House is a series of four FREE one day modern art and craft workshops supported by Auckland Council and presented at four north Auckland community arts facilities, exclusively for a limited number of older and retired people. 

Attendees at these FREE workshops will learn about their artist-teachers making practice and spend time sharing experiences, creating a small artwork and learning a new skill! This is a fantastic opportunity for older and retired people of all abilities to learn from established professional artists in an age friendly environment, so don’t miss out - numbers are limited to 15 per workshop. Art materials, tea and coffee will be supplied. Make sure to bring a packed lunch.

When and Where

• Wednesday 5 October, 10am-3pm at Mairangi Arts Centre. 20 Hastings Rd, Mairangi Bay. With artist Niki Hastings-McFall. For bookings email or phone Mairangi Arts Centre mairangiartscentre@xtra.co.nz 09 478 2237.
• Friday 14 October, 10am-3pm at The Arts Centre Helensville. Cnr Karaka St and Commercial Rd, Helensville. With artists Kristin D’Agostino and Raewyn Walsh. For bookings email or phone The Arts Centre Helensville admins.artcentre@gmail.com 09 420 9374.
• Wednesday 19  October, 10am-3pm at Kumeu Arts Centre. 14 Oraha Road, Huapai, Kumeu. With artists Renee Bevan and Ross Malcolm. For bookings email or phone Kumeu Arts Centre thetinshed@clear.net.nz 09 412 9480.
• Wednesday 26 October, 10am-3pm at Northart. Norman King Square, Northcote Shopping Centre. With artist Regan Gentry. For bookings email or phone Northart manager@northart.co.nz 09 480 9633.

For more information about this programme and to make a booking contact the above community art centres. Alternatively, email Matt Blomeley Matt.Blomeley@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or Liz Watkins Liz.Watkins@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz  

HandSHAKE @ New Zealand Jewellery Show

I went down to Wellington to help with the setup and meet the other HandShakers. It was a great group to work with and I really enjoyed the hospitality.

The Egalitarian project in full force....

Jhana Millers performance piece was a real treat!

The full project is documented on the handshake website.

Studio 20/17 Install

This is a detailed image of my Egalitarian Project.  The brooches were all the same price but some where just tin and others were silver, contained pearls, aquamarine, etc.  A bit like the lotto.  See the HandShake site for full details of the project.