Untitled Document

Making jewellery fulfils a need I have to create objects that hold special meanings. These objects can be worn and can potentially provoke in the wearer and viewer a need for a response or interaction of some kind. A dialogue is opened up - jewellery then acts as a tool for the communication of ideas.

My work references my interest in botanical motifs. Historically these motifs have a long history within jewellery's imagery so are a rich source for reinterpretation and investigation. I'm also interested in notions of place, belonging and the life cycle. I use plants as metaphors to represent these ideas. These are sourced from native plants from the south (both exotic and indigenous) as well as from family ceramics (Mason's ironstone pottery).

I have an affinity for plastic and use it for its inherent playful colourfulness, lucidity and formal versatility. Plastic for me is a valid material belonging to this age, my age. It is an accurate documentation of our time, perhaps a replacement for the precious gems of more traditional eras. I choose to combine precious and non-precious materials to test the limit of novel aesthetic concepts.



	University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand Bachelor of Arts, Major: Classical Studies, Classical Art and Architecture
	Otago Polytechnic School of Art, Dunedin, New Zealand Diploma in Craft Design, Major: Jewellery
	Fluxus, Dunedin, New Zealand. Post-graduate professional development for 2 years



2003	HAT (Here and There) Residency: UK/Australia jewellery exchange. Artist in residence at Manchester Metropolitan University. Funded by the Australia Council, Arts Victoria and the North West Arts Board (UK)

2004	Arts Victoria, International Program - Cultural Exchange. Towards 'North and South' exhibition involving Australian/UK artists at Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool, UK

	Creative New Zealand, Promotion, Presentation and Audience Development grant. Towards 'Cross Pollination' exhibition held under umbrella of the South Project, Craft Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

	NAVA Visual Arts and Craft Artists' Gant , Presentation and Promotion towards 'Cross Pollination' exhibition held under umbrella of the South Project Craft Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

2005	Australia Council for the Arts, Visual Arts and Craft Board, New work grant

2006	National Contemporary Jewellery Award, First prize: Jewellery using non precious materials, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Griffith, NSW, Australia



	Absolut Vodka, 'Seven Deadly Sins' international advertising campaign, 2002.
	Cultural Festival Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 , 'Medalling: designed and decorated', invited exhibitor, RMIT Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.



	Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Griffith, NSW, Australia
	Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
	Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool, UK
	Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
	Absolut Vodka Art Collection, Sweden



	Contemporary Wearables '01 exhibition catalogue, 2001, p. 33.
	500 Brooches, Lark Books, Altamont Press, Inc USA, 2004 (contributing artist)
	500 Rings, Lark Books, Altamont Press, Inc, USA, 2004 (contributing artist)
	The great materials double dip - Object, Issue 46, 2005, p.16–23
	500 Necklaces, Lark Books, Altamont Press, Inc, USA, 2006 (contributing artist)