Inspired By…

[Dennis]

This term our jewellery class was busy with several projects. Firstly, we were encouraged to enter the annual competition for adult learners: to make a piece of work inspired by the collections or exhibitions at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Below is an excerpt from my application and accompanying photographs.

‘In January I saw ‘Bejewelled Treasures, The Al Thani Collection’ and was fascinated by the turban ornaments, pendants and brooches, made by famous companies such as Fabergé and Cartier. Several had a central carved emerald, surrounded by diamond-set ornamental frames.
My inspiration was taken from the hexagonal carved emerald of the Parure Bérénice, which had originally been the centrepiece of a necklace. It was first exhibited at the Paris Exposition of 1925, where the term Art Deco was coined. In the subdued lighting of the exhibition, it reminded me uncannily of a piece of electronic circuitry.

For my entry, I have made a brooch in art deco style, using square silver wire with bevelled edges, joined to create decorative grooves. The centre is filled with a rectangle of green circuit board: a highly prized contemporary gem. To add sparkle I have added some small, randomly placed chrystal chatons and protected it with a Perspex cover.

It is quite a heavy piece, so I have provided double pins of stainless steel, with an improvised catch and hinge.’

The works chosen from country wide entries can be viewed at the Morley Gallery London. I was pleased to have my Modern Jewel Brooch selected for the exhibition and since the prize in the jewellery category was won by a classmate, it has kept it in the family, so to speak. Dennis