Objects and jewellery exploring contemporary enamelling

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RESEARCH BACKGROUND This research is situated in the field of contemporary enamelling and object making. Enamelling as a medium has been in and out of fashion since the 1970s to the point where it was no longer taught in tertiary education within Australia. This work is located within a resurgence of its use and application in art objects internationally. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE This research was presented in a group exhibition at Galerie Handwerk in Munich. The work was selected and included in what was the largest international survey of contemporary enamelling to be presented since the resurgence in the use of the medium by contemporary jewellery practitioners. The importance of this exhibition was to highlight the international "Renaissance" of enamelling and the important work being done in the field. The exhibition was presented during the international jewellery event Schmuck in Munich. "Galerie Handwerk mounts only seven exhibitions a year, the Galerie Handwerk gives the crafts a highly visible presence in Munich. The exhibition topics reflect all the diverse functions of the crafts in culture and society. They range from applied art and artisanry, through the trades and architecture, the maintenance of protected monuments, and folk art, down to design education. The presentations cover traditional, classic and avant-garde approaches extending beyond regional developments to those taking place on an international level. Galerie Handwerk makes a significant contribution to the dissemination and advancement of craft internationally." RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION This group of work explored the possibilities of large scale enamelling. The use of vitreous enamel in contemporary jewellery and object making in Australia has been modest since the 1970's. However enamelling is making a reappearance with innovative applications both here and overseas. This work was selected by the curators and was the only work from Australia or New Zealand to be part of the exhibit