BRIDGET KENNEDY

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This is the week to indulge in some jewellery – You Deserve it!

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Those of you who’ve been fans for a while will know just how rare an occasion this is. It’s time to clear the decks! I’m having a bench clearance of my work and most of the 20/17 Project Space artists are joining me.
Been pining for those Anna Davern ‘Rocks’ Earrings? Fancy a Vicki Mason necklace? Been putting off buying a Kath Inglis Waterhole bangle? Had your eye on an Albert Tse ring? This is the week to indulge – You Deserve it! From 15% – 50% off, in store only – 53 Ridge Street North Sydney! 

Last SALE day – Saturday 1st July, no rain checks

See below for a few snaps of some of the goodies available

ps. follow on instagram (@studio2017_project_space) to see more of the goodies available on sale.

Artistic Collaborations

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We love collaborating with other creatives. I Recently fabricated a series of brooches designed by Artist, Christopher Hodges, of Utopia Art Sydney for an exhibition at Stanley Street Gallery. The brooches were inspired by Polynesian floral motifs and reference his larger scale sculptural work. The works were hand sawpierced from original artist drawings, ensuring that every small nuance of the artist’s hand was captured in the finished works.

– Bridget Kennedy

screenshot-1

image: Margarita Sampson, Stanley Street Gallery

christopher-hodges-brooches-work-in-progress

works in progress

christopher-hodges-brooch-oxidised-sterling-silver-mother-of-pearl

one of the finished brooches

 

Upcoming workshop @ studio 20/17

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We’re getting pretty excited about our upcoming wax carving workshop where you can learn to make your own silver ring!

In the workshop you will learn to carve your own ring design in wax and send it to be cast in sterling silver. Beginners are welcome and no previous experience required. Co-director Melanie Ihnen is the class tutor.

Click here form more info!

workshop image tools

 

Jewellery making opportunity – get your work noticed during ARTMONTH 2013

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Call for Submissions

MAKER/WEARER/MATCHMAKER – a collaborative jewellery project, initiated by JMGA-NSW and coordinated by Bridget Kennedy

About

NSW jewellery artists and members of JMGA-NSW are invited to submit a proposal to participate in MAKER/WEARER/MATCHMAKER, a collaboration between JMGA-NSW and the galleries of 2 Danks St, Waterloo, to be run during ARTMONTH, March 2013.

In this project, selected artists will each work with one of the gallery directors from 2 Danks St, producing a small series of works (1-3 pieces) inspired by the director or work exhibited in their gallery, which the gallery director will then wear during Art Month 2013 (March 2013). The works will be developed following a meeting with your gallery director. When your work is not being worn it will be displayed in the gallery.

An online catalogue will be produced documenting the project and the works produced.

The project will endeavour to create an aspect of community and conversation and to challenge boundaries of contemporary jewellery, whilst increasing its profile within the contemporary art environment. Wearers and viewers of the work will be able to reflect on their emotional and physical response to the work via a blog. Each director will be given a journal to document their personal responses to the work.

This project will be managed by Bridget Kennedy, co-director studio 2017, 2 Danks St and secretary JMGA-NSW.

 Submissions

Your submission should include:

– 3-5 images of recent work,  presented in a powerpoint presentation saved under your name. Images should carry captions with title of work, year of production, materials, dimensions.

–  a supporting statement about these works (max 200 words)

–  The gallery/galleries you would preferred to be paired with (optional) – see www.2danksstreet.com.au. Or visit the galleries in Sydney at 2 Danks street Waterloo, NSW 2017.

–  a CV (max. 1 A4 page)

Please email your submission to: jmga.nsw@gmail.com

Submissions due by 9am January 14 2013.

Eligibility and conditions

Submissions will be excluded if incomplete or not meeting the stated requirements.

No late submissions will be accepted.

All jewellery artists resident in NSW or with a JMGA-NSW membership current at time of submission are eligible to submit a proposal.

If selected to participate in the MAKER/WEARER/MATCHMAKER you will be required to become a member of JMGA-NSW, if you do not currently hold membership.

If selected, you will be required to attend the official matchmakers event in late January (date TBC) at 2 Danks Street. All work must be completed and delivered by February 26.

Artists and gallery directors will enter into an agreement covering the loan of the works for the duration of the project.

Artists will retain ownership of their work unless sold.

Copyright of the work will remain with the artist however artists will be required to provide permission for images of the work to be used in the catalogue and additional documentation and publicity of the project.

Questions? Please email Bridget Kennedy at:  bk9999@tpg.com.au

2000 chances to win…..

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one of 14 precious and collectible, wearable and non-wearable jewelleries made by the NZ HandShake jewellers! They’re raising funds to exhibit their work at SCHMUCK, Munich in 2013, and producing a fabulous book about the 2 year project. Studio 20/17 is selling them on behalf of the NZ guys. Tickets are just $4 each and can be purchased here at Studio 20/17.

Once More, With Love!

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We would love to send out a huge thank you to all of you who came along last Saturday and celebrated the opening of Once More, With Love with us. It felt like all of Sydney’s jewellery community was there, not to mention some special guest appearances by some of jewellerys most royal!

The ‘In Conversation’ panel discussion held on the Tuesday night went off like treat, there was so much stimulating discussion, and it most certainly has given us here plenty of new ideas to ponder. Make sure you check out the project website (http://www.oncemorewithlove.com/ ) for more information.  The exhibition continues until the 18th of August.

Cheers – Studio 20/17

Christmas is coming……

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2012 Christmas Showcase: Submissions now open!

We are calling for expressions of interest for original and well made contemporary jewellery for  the Studio 20/17 annual Christmas showcase. Opening 3rd December 2012 and running through until Christmas Eve, it provides an excellent opportunity to showcase and sell new work during this busy period.

Selected artists are required to provide a MINIMUM of 5 works. Ideally, work would be able to be restocked when purchased. Selected artists will be required to contribute a fee of $38 each to help cover some of the costs of installation and opening night celebrations.

Your expression of interest should be sent ELECTRONICALLY and include:
–         One page CV
–         Artist Statement (the theme behind the work, inspirations, materials etc)
–         Up to 5 JPEG images (either of the work you intend to submit, or previous work, with a detailed description of the work you intend to submit). PLEASE keep image sizes under 500kb.
–         Number of works you intend to submit (with materials and pricing info – RRP please, please note: Studio 20/17 takes 50% commission on retail price). Please note this information is to give an idea and does not need to be finalised.
–         All images must have a title, date of work, materials and photo credit.

KEY DATES
31st August                 Expressions of interest due (late applications are unable to be accepted).
7th September          Artists will be informed of selection.
22nd September       Submission Fee required by Selected Artists
21st  November        Delivery of work with accompanying completed paperwork.

IMPORTANT INFO:
The artist is wholly responsibly for the cost of postage to and from the gallery. Please make sure you provide a return self address post satchel when you send your work as this ensures speedy return of your work once the show has finished.  Please note that the gallery is closed from Christmas day until 23rd January so work will be returned when the gallery re-opens.

SUBMISSIONS:
Expressions of Interest are accepted via email by 5pm 31st August 2012:
E: exhibitions@studio2017.com.au   T: (02) 9698 7999

Oh Opal! – Oh Opening!

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Thanks to all who came along last Saturday for the opening of  Oh Opal! (re-imagining Australia’s national gemstone). We had a lovely time and were lucky enough to be graced with presences of three participating artists aka ‘particles’ (Christine Scott-Young, Jill Hermans and Dianne Beevers)!  Christine gave a delightful and informative talk about the history of Part B as well the ins and outs of how the research group works.

Remember this Saturday the 28th July is the last day to view the exhibition.

Cheers – Studio 20/17

PROFILE 2012 applications close Monday!

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PROFILE 2012 applications close this Monday….the Biennial Award Exhibition is open to members of JMGA-NSW. With a prize pool of $3,000  it’s a great reason to join….AND….you don’t need to reside in NSW to become a member. There are prizes for both student and professional categories….we’ve heard rumours of who will be one of the judges….it’s not quite official yet…..but lets just say, we’re very excited!
try this link to download a form https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B62a27Id_jSfb0tDUVp5aENuTEU/edit?pli=1 or email JMGA at jmga.nsw@gmail.com for more details.

Rui comes to town!

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The gorgeous Rui Kikuchi is over from Japan for a few days. She’ll be showcasing a new body of exhibition work in the gallery for the next 3 weeks. Made from PET bottles that have been hand sawn, shaped and dyed, the works reflects the wondrous underwater environment. Please join us this coming Tuesday 1st Feb 6-8pm to meet the artist and celebrate her work. – BK.

“In manipulating an abundant material in the human world, such as the PET bottle, my aim is to consider the mundane object and recognise beauty within it. In extending our humility to see a value in these materials, it is my hope that we reduce the nonchalant use of goods and that can lead us to experience wonder in the everyday.

Since becoming an adult, I have become very curious about nature and love to pore over books about sea creatures, plants and fungus. I am very lucky to have visited the Great Barrier Reef to see first hand the diversity, colour and strangeness of such an alien world. Being immersed in the ocean, I found sea creatures to be beautiful in their grotesqueness and peaceful in their abundance. Although I am sure that these experiences are influential to my work, I am not conscious of presenting my pieces to resemble marine life, rather as I play and experiment with the material, I learn of the potential that is hidden within it. I find that the material itself speaks and teaches me about what kind of augmentations and transformations it wants to take. Control is not just about domination over a material but also the ability to listen to it and recognise that the material also strives to become beautiful.” – Rui Kikuchi

more photos from Feast

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Wow, what a great way to end the year! The gift of the Depot Gallery, a wonderful installation of fabulous, fun and inspiring work, ham and champers and a great crowd of family and friends!
2010 is here and I spent a productive day at the studio earlier this week freshening up the space, painting and cleaning for the year to come. We also have a fresh new face in the studio, Michelle Miller, recently graduated from Enmore Design Centre, will be helping out in the gallery on Tuesdays and Wednesdays…………here’s a few more pics from ‘Feast’. – BK.

The start of 2009

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cultured (bleached)

food for thought: cultured (bleached) - Bridget Kennedy 2009

One of the pieces in our current exhibition. From a series I’m working on titled ‘food for thought’.  We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead. Alot of our energy was spent last year setting up the space and getting our head around all the admin bits and pieces that are required for running a gallery/studio. This year we’ll be stocking work by some fantastic contemporary jewellery artists and focusing on bringing lots of exciting new work into the gallery. Here’s to a great 2009!

Happy New Year

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The studio is currently on Holidays but Bridget and I are have returned and are preparing for the 2 Danks st opening on the 21st January. 2 Danks st opens with Sculpture 2009.

All  galleries will be exhibiting sculpture.  Along with works from 8 of the other galleries, Studio 20/17 will be exhibiting work by Mark McClelland in the Aboriginal & Pacific Art Gallery.

Studio 20/17  will showcase work by Bridget and myself.  The show is called on.off (referencing the space) and will run from 21st Jan – 7th Feb.

Artisan Project

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Artisan day involves a couple or person designing and making their own piece of jewellery. Bridget and I offer this opportunity in the studio and we recently had a beautiful couple, Kate & Mark design and make their own engagement ring.

The project usually runs on Sunday for 6 hours but this can vary depending on the design process. We held the recent day over 2 Sundays as the design required we outsource the casting process. Kate and mark designed the ring, Kate came up with the idea to have mark to tie a piece of string around her finger and then have the string element cast in gold, a wonderful concept. The 1st Sunday we had a great time with hot wax and string and arrived at the final piece! The second Sunday Kate and mark Soldered and polished the engagement ring.  Below is an image of the finished ring set with Cognac diamonds.

It looks great and they were so happy with the outcome. Kate wrote a beautiful email about the day, my favourite part is below –

“We soldered, we polished, we filed, we punched (out the metal)… We had such a wonderful time and, without getting too sappy about it, every time I look at my ring I think of the near hysterics we were in, Mark nearly burning my hand with a hair-dryer, losing a piece and all four of us on all fours scouring the floor for it, and the delicious treats the girls provided for the busy craftscouple. My ring is already loaded with memories and it’s only been on my finger for two days. Bridget and Melanie, you went above and beyond, thank you so much for helping us make something so special.”

Production vs Exhibition

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My head is continually messed up by the making of limited edition work vs one-off exhibition pieces. I quite enjoy the repetitive element of making the same thing over and over, and then suddenly, it just does my head  (and heart) in and I feel like a little factory…don’t get me wrong I still love the process of it all … I love the exploration, challenges,  play and freedom that comes with exhibition and more conceptual work…and that it allows me to communicate ideas and concerns that I have… but (at this stage) it’s difficult to feed the small mouths in the nest at home with this kind of making (although it feeds my soul)…and often there isn’t the time and head space to work on ‘larger’ projects. I’ve just started some ideas of some limited production work based on the brooches I made for the ‘Winter Brooches’ exhibition, which I think will incorporate some of the joy of creating the one-off work. They still allow for some freedom and play through paint, colour and construction, although are not quite so labour intensive (allowing them to be in a price range that might actually sell)!! In the originals, the jump rings were all hand soldered but I have scaled them down and had a mould made. Below are the original one-offs….stay tuned for the limited edition versions.

gems from the JAA trade fair

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and not the gems we expected to find. Mel and I spent Monday cruising the exhibition halls at Darling harbour, overwhelmed by glitz and, and……searching for something different, a new exciting tool, some great display options….something…..and here’s what we discovered……a handy hint passed on to us by an exhibitor, told to him by an ancient jeweller….if ever you need a tiny stainless steel spring (for those days when you just HAVE to make a parrot clasp – eesh)…then use part of the ‘E’ string from a guitar. Not sure what the ‘E’ string is, or whether an ‘A’ string would work as well but sounded like a potentially useful bit of info….We were also shown a really neat contemporary ring band – beautifully made (German?) with a tiny dimple in it that you press with a pen to open a hidden hinge – allowing the ring to open fully….for people with arthritis….and lastly, we found a supplier (Euromount) for sterling silver pin ends (those little bullet things)….there was a moment of weakness at Ajit, where we came away with a string of sparkly  gems to play with….and then it was all over.

making a floor work for upcoming show at Gaffa

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While Mel’s been away, I’ve continued working on the piece to add to my ongoing ‘deadwood’ series, for exhibition in re:re(a)d re:visited, a group show. Other artists in the show are Nicolette Scobier, Carlie Henderson, Sian Edwards, Brooke Johnston, Jane Reynolds, Linda Blair and Christina Adamson. The exhibition opens Thursday night 31st July and runs until August 12th.

I also started another body of work yesterday. Have been discussing the raised and formed objects in the gallery space with people that wander through….and just had to start making objects straight way, based on vessels… …….with a working title of ‘half empty (I want to fill you up)’…..it continues an underlying personal narrative that exists in much of my exhibition work….I imagine the end result to be a room full of rows and rows of vessels (carrying on the mild obsession I have with the comfort of the repetitive), mainly made from beeswax (continuing with my love of beeswax and all things honey) and any other materials I find in my day to day existance.

work in progress - half empty

work in progress - half empty

Nick takes the new ventillation system for a test drive

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our new whisper quiet ventillation systemHere’s a photo of Nick (Mel’s partner) testing out the new ventillation system that he’s kindly created for us. It’s built with an elevator fan (very quiet – you could use a vacuum cleaner setup just as effectively if noise wasn’t an issue….send us a comment if you want more info on the experiments that have been done on this) and a container of activated charcoal to filter out the metal/solder fumes. We’ll probably come up with a more elegant fastening mechanism in the longer term, to allow movement and also to make sure that the air isn’t drawn through our breathing space….I think it looks a bit like the head of a snowman with  a top hat on, wearing a high, orange coloured neck piece (yes – that IS a ‘modified’ traffic cone)…………NOW – stay tuned for images of what our soldering area looked like AFTER the power switch was turned on!!! You guessed it, there wasn’t a lid on the top and the fan blew the tiny bits of charcoal all over the studio….mmmm, slight design modification required – but the concept seems sound – YIPPEE, we’ll have a fantastic and quiet system very soon!!!!!

We’re now ‘officially’ here!

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We officially launched the space last Wednesday night, along with opening night drinks for Emma Fielden’s exhibition of beautiful work! It was a great night and Mel and I both spent the next few days justing getting over the whole thing. It wasn’t until after it was ll over that we realised how exhausted we both were……One of the things we learnt, was that our tiny space doesn’t hold alot of people at one time!

a little later, our tiny space started filling up

in the hallway to the studio











Tilly joins us for the day while Emma installs her work

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Sunday – we met Emma at the studio to setup her work (and totally reorganise the studio at the same time!!). The sun was shining – we’d forgotton what it looked like!!! Here she is putting up her gorgeous ‘Pin sketch’ works, made from buffalo horn, ebony and gold. While at my bench, my little miss Tilly, who turned 4 recently, focusses all her attention on filing on a piece of perspex.

a little elf











JAPAN IN JUNE

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BK’s off to Japan!!! Poor Mel, I wish I could pack her in my suitcase. I booked the flight today. Am looking forward to Tokyo and discovering all the art galleries and visiting Deux Poisson Gallery. Was at an artist friends place for a bbq on the weekend and Daniel Goettin was there (he currently has a wonderful show on at Connie Dietzschold Gallery)…turns out he is a big fan of Tokyo, so I have a very long scrawled list of places to see, things to eat, and trains to catch (happy for more ideas from anyone out there)……am very excited, but before that we have our BIG LAUNCH of Studio 20/17 —– lots to do!! Mel and I discovered the difference between normal glass (green tinge) and Star Fire Glass today (much clearer and more expensive)….we now have to decided which one to get to put in our drawer units that we’re having made for the gallery space (do we want all the work to have a slight green tinge? Will anyone really notice?)……….fingers crossed they’ll be ready before the Launch and Emma’s opening!

Calling for submissions

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We realise we’re in a fabulous location and that there are lots of wonderfully creative artist/designer/makers out there….so we’d like to offer our space for exhibition of your gorgeous and adventurous work………we’re putting out a CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for exhibitions of work for a few exhibitions each year (we’re still nutting out how many we can deal with…argh, the admin!!! – we want to make our own work too)!! The people that wander in and out of the Danks St Arts Complex are an interesting and fascinating bunch, either interested in the arts, artists, or involved in the arts in some other way. Whilst we realise our space is a small one, it’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase your work to this audience. So, for anyone interested , please drop us an email at studio2017(at)optusnet.com.au, and a couple of images of your work you and we’ll send you out some info….

BK’s been on holidays

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Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the best plan to have organised a trip to the Philippines to visit the inlaws only 6 weeks after we moved into the studio but Mel’s been doing a fantastic job keeping on top of everything while I’ve been eating lots of home cooked meals at the house of Lola Flora in Sagada, Mountain Province.

We’ve celebrated her 95th Birthday, spent time with all the cousins and extended family (many had travelled from the USA to participate in the Birthday party), jogged up & down a mountain in an 8km fun run, gone for hikes, wandered around rice terraces & had a few relaxing San Miguels in a local taverna.

I’ve collected some seeds from the Bistacao plant and Grandma Flora gave me an old, broken belt that she had made from seeds. This is going to be used as material in a series of work based on my visits to the area.

Sagada is located high up in the mountains north of Bagiou (it was an 8 hour bus trip from Manila to Bagiou). After a one night stopover in Bagiou, we caught another bus up the winding, rocky, road to Sagada. The trip has shortened since 2001. When I first visited it took 7.5 hours, but with continual work on the road (paving and building of retaining walls to minimise landslides and erosion..the trip can be a bit nerve wracking) it takes about 5.5 hours…..this is to travel all of 120km!

Meanwhile…. back at the Studio, Mel is designing the invite for our next exhibition – beautiful work by Emma Fielden, which coincides with our offical launch! She’s also been getting quotes on getting some display/drawer units made (fingers crossed – they’ll be ready for the launch), and designing our studio card! I took the laptop along and sat on top of a mountain updating our mailing list…. and wrote a small article for Filings…some time after 2001, remote Sagada had a mobile phone tower installed and now has internet access (but there are no land lines at all in the town, or television)…..this I think, is both good and bad……

bits and pieces

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After being caught up in the distractions of admin around the setup of the space…things like installing a phone line (phew -that was a trial and a half), merchant facilities, bank accounts, machinery setup and location, sourcing of a fridge (to store the milk for our daily expresso coffee), creation of a press release (thank you Tara! – and also for your help with setting up this blog!), design of studio card, design of display units, contracts for exhibitions by invited artists, insurance, door signs, wall signs, lighting, fixing up the door, working out where the garbage bins are (and ladders and air con switches and, and, and!) and having our alarm system installed, we’re almost there and itching to get back to the bench to get stuck into creating some work! We’ll be updating you with photos as we go.

Open Wednesday to Saturday 11-5pm
53 Ridge Street North Sydney, NSW 2060

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