Artist’s statement
I love working with precious metals, particularly high carat gold, its malleability, the lovely colour, the subtle textures that can be achieved. The surface of the metal is hammered and sometimes impressed with watercolour paper or fine textiles and is hand-finished. I keep a sketchbook and draw things I have seen on my frequent visits to museums especially the British Museum and recently the Metropolitan in New York and Villa Giulia in Rome; then I work straight with the materials, intuitively, and allow serendipity to take over. Although the simplicity and strength of some tribal artifacts, I make large hollow forms - bangles, neckpieces and earrings in silver with fused high carat gold decoration.
I want to achieve strong, sculptural shapes whilst making the pieces comfortable to wear. As an adjunct to the large pieces I make delicate chains, rings, earrings and brooches incorporating cabochon stones and beads including opal, pearl, tourmaline and unpolished topaz.
Further Images
18 carat gold necklaces with fire opal, lapis and tzavarite
22 carat gold ring with octahedral diamond
Three narrow 18 carat gold bangles
18 carat gold crossover rings with tzavarite
18 carat gold oval earstuds with kyanite cluster
Silver double oval earrings with kyanite cluster
18 carat double gold pendant with kyanite and beryl cluster
18 carat gold 'frond' earstuds with pearl
22 carat gold earrings with fire opal