Christmas at Breathing Colours

For those still rushing about looking for last minute gifts, here are a few ideas:

Cath O'Gorman's new bowls, dishes and pourers have just arrived in an array of fabulous colours!

For the jewellery lover, Kristin Vournelis' stunning earrings are a real statement piece.

Karen Cunnginham's Lamina Vase collection is bright and elegant, a great piece to brighten up the home.

If the Christmas rush is keeping you from coming instore, remember that Breathing Colours has just launched their on-line store at: http://www.breathingcolours.bigcartel.com/  !! Please note that the full range of works from these artists are availbe in-store and we will be opened up until Christmas Eve!

As Christmas closes in, Breathing Colours would like to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

New in Store- not tuesday

Not Tuesday’s polymer clay handmade bead necklaces are bold in colour and full of fun! A hit already at Breathing Colours, these are a summer must have!

Come in store to see the full range.

Feaured Artist: Melinda Young

Contemporary jeweller Melinda Young's production work is an erray of graphic pieces. Using bold colours, crisp, distinct shapes and acrylic as a primary material - her pieces inherit a real tactile quality. Read on to discover her inspirations, influences and what's to come for Melinda...

What got your started on your artistic path?

I grew up in a creative, craft focussed family – both my parents are gifted craftspeople. It is not surprising that I have followed a creative path after a childhood spent drawing, painting and experimenting with all manner of crafts including macrame and leatherwork.

After several years at university focussing on art theory and painting, I was ultimately attracted to jewellery as a vehicle for expression as I felt that it had a great potential for conveying my conceptual ideas. So I dropped out of an almost completed degree and started again, switching my studies to jewellery and the rest is history...

What inspires you?

Architecture, plants, the landscape – wild and urban, people, materials, the act of making and increasingly traditional and tribal jewellery forms.

What is you favourite colour palette at the moment?

I love colour, but I tend to always work with only one colour on a piece – so my work is usually always monochromatic, even though there may be several colour stories within a body of work. Although I tend to be drawn more towards warm colours, a recent collection of exhibition work has used lots of green.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

My studio is in the lovely big light filled attic of our house – my creative bubble.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsperson (alive or dead) who would it be?

I LOVE visiting other artists studios, I think as makers, we are always so curious about seeing how other people surround themselves when they work. This is such a hard question because there are so many I would love to visit... I often wonder what the studio of the late Dutch jeweller Onno Boekhoudt was like.

What piece of jewellery do you cherish the most?

I have many, many very special pieces of jewellery. Probably the piece I cherish the most is my letter 'M' Alphabet ring by New Zealand jeweller Warwick Freeman. It is special for a long list of personal reasons and was purchased on a golden day spent in Melbourne with great friends. Also the maker, Warwick Freeman, is one of my jewellery heroes and the marvellous story he told me about the inspiration for this work reminds me not to take things too seriously and that anything can be possible to a maker if you give yourself permission.

What is next for Mel Young?

Lots of exciting things!!! An exhibition at Fingers Gallery in Auckland with Lauren Simeoni called Unnatural Tendencies in October see: www.fingers.co.nz. I have work in a group show curated by Tricia Tang that opens in Hong Kong in November before touring to Sydney, Taipei & Bangkok. Over the coming months I will be visiting Canberra to conduct research and work on a large-scale piece for a national touring exhibition called Life in Your Hands which opens at Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery next March. Then starting to develop on a new body of work for a solo exhibition... and a new range of production work is on the boil! 

Featured Artist: Kanimbla Clay

Kanimbla Clay is created by ceramicist Helen Hay. Set amongst the valleys and bushland of Kanimbla, Helen produces precious, visually organic vessels that resonate with her natural surroundings.

What attracted you/got you started on your artistic path?

As far back as I can remember I've always had a paintbrush in my hand, and have always loved being creative. Going to Art college after high school was the real turning point in my artistic direction though.

What inspires you?

The natural environment around me.

Where do you find the inspiration for the designs on your pieces?

Out here in the Kanimbla Valley. I am very fortunate to live and work in such a beautiful place. My workshop looks out across the valley to the escarpment, so I get to observe flora, fauna and the amazing changes of light. Since being here I have been so absorbed in my surroundings, and its great to see that coming through in my work.

Tell us a bit about how you source some of your clay…

I actually buy it from Potters Needs in Oberon. I used to dig for my clay when I was at Uni, but I unfortunately don't have the time at present. Next year I will be doing alot more experimental work, I'll be doing some pit firings out here on my property and I will be hopefully sourcing some local clay. I've heard that there are some great clay deposits around this area.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Kanimbla Clays pieces have a very delicate, natural, handmade feel whilst maintaining a high standard in quality.

Tell us a bit about your studio space (if you have images as well, that’d be great!)

My workshop is located out here on my property in Kanimbla. We were lucky enough to inherit a huge colourbond shed when we moved here. I was originally using just a small corner of the shed but as Kanimbla Clay is growing I have now taken over 2/3's of it. Im looking to renovate the old stable into a workshop and office, but thats next year.

Its been a real experience having my studio out here, I get so much wildlife through everyday. I grew up in a small vllage in the UK and the most exciting things I used to see were badgers and deer,I will never get tired of seeing a mob of female roo's with their joeys bounding past the workshop 

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsmen (alive or dead) who would it be?

Andy Goldsworthy, I love the way he works with natural materials. He'll use thorns,twigs, weaving and abit of clever balancing instead of glue & nails to hold things together. I'd like to see how much of the forest is in his work space.

What hand held object do you cherish the most?

A hand painted and carved wooden horse from Sweden. It was my Nana's, and its a part of my memories of her.

What is next for Kanimbla Clay?

More homewares. More electric lights, and hopefully another kiln!

emerging from winter

We're well and truley emerging from winter here at Breathing Colours. We've put away our scarves and boots and are embracing frocks and sandals...hello toes! 

This also means we needed some new spring earrings to help us celebrate feeling so bright and refreshed. Lucky for us our beautiful resident jeweller Olenka has launched a new range of earrings.

Aren't the gorgeous?

Come in store to check them out; retailing from $39...the perfect thing to brighten up any out fit.

Featured Artist: Szilvia Gyorgy

Szilvia Gyorgy never stops surprising us here at Breathing Colours. Her continual innovative use of materials, along with her amazing techincal skills, create some extremely unique and beautiful works. We hope you enjoy our interview with Szilvia; good luck not being jealous of her stunning ceramics studio and it's surroungings!

 

What attracted you/got you started on your artistic path?

It seemed easier to communicate through expressing myself visually rather than verbally.

What inspires you?

Almost everything around me, both beautiful and ugly things.

How would you describe your aesthetic, as it varies from your jewellery to ceramics?

That is a good question. Firstly I try to reflect on things I experienced or observed, then I think about what materials would be ideal for it and how it could fit a function. They are both explorations through materials. Ceramics is more of an adventure about the interaction between people and how they use space around them, jewellery is more about people in their very immediate personal space. The aesthetic follows. 

What inspires your choice of materials when making jewellery?

I have been taken away by the qualities of metal like silver, stainless steel, brass, however we are surrounded by so many natural (gum nuts) and man made materials (all plastics have some interesting qualities) and most have something to offer.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

I make my ceramics at Newington Armory, I have 2 kilns, a wheel and a huge space that is shared with artists of all disciplines, it is great that there is always a chance that one meets someone special.

My jewellery studio can almost be anywhere. I have been very conscious in keeping the tool box small. I have a beautiful big table at home, but I tend to take my basic tools anywhere I go. They were in danger in a London airport recently thanks to some really strict rules about weight restrictions in check-in luggage.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsmen (alive or dead) who would it be?

 Picasso's would be nice to look at.

What is next for Szilvia Gyorgy and her work?

I am experimenting with colours these days with both ceramics and jewellery. Lots of ideas floating around and the studios are full with pieces half finished, I am very curious to see what will leave the studio at the end.

Featured Artist: Heather Keiko

Jeweller Heather Keiko makes visually strong pieces, from the softest of materials. Playing with form, repetition and of course felt, Heather's jewellery promotes a sense of fun, independance and style - they are real statement pieces. She has kindly taken the time to answer some questions about her inspirations, work and what's next for Heather Keiko... Enjoy!

What attracted you/got you started on your artistic path?

Travelling! In 2006 my husband and I left for Europe we travelled extensively and it was getting off the beaten track in places like Egypt, Jordan and Turkey that really started getting the design juices started and inspired me to create. 

What inspires you?

The environment around me, both the natural and built forms.

What is your favourite colour pallete at the moment?

At the moment I am really drawn to muted tones like light blues, greens and pinks.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Bold, organic and sculptural.

Tell us a bit about your studio space...

At the moment my studio space co-exists with my one year old son Akira. If I am lucky I manage to carve out a small clearing on the family table and set to work.

If you could peek inside the studio of any artist, designer or craftsmen (alive or dead) who would it be?

Carlo Scarpa the Italian architect, as well as glass and furniture designer.

What piece of jewellery do you cherish the most?

 My most cherished piece of jewellery would have to be a vintage gold filligree cuff passed down to me from my grandmother.

What is next for Keiko?

Lots of experimentation! We are currently looking at incorporating some semi-precious stones into our designs.

We are now calling for expressions of interest for Breathing Colours 2011 Christmas exhibition.

The theme for this year is ‘Tiered’.

A tier is one of a series of rows or ranks rising one behind or above another, a layer, level or stratum. ‘Tiered’ 

refers to something that is arranged in tiers, rows or layers, often used in combination.

This exhibition will be open to the public from 23^rd November -24^th December2011

Please note: we will be leaving the exhibition on display (to be seen through the window) over our Christmas break until we reopen towards the end of January 2012.

Artists who are selected for the exhibition are required to provide up to three series, each of which should contain three to five individual works (between 3-15 works in total).

Depending on the amount of work submitted, some pieces may not be displayed immediately. However, all works sold at exhibition will be removed from display at the time of purchase, allowing for sold pieces will be replaced with new ones. If a customer is interested in the work of a particular artist, we may also be able to show them more examples that are held in reserve.

Artists who are selected will be required to pay an entry fee of $75, this will cover promotional costs, installation and opening night etc. Breathing Colours takes a 33% commission on all sales.

Paintings and 2D artworks must be within the dimensions 50cm x 50cm (frame included, if framed).

Sculptures, jewellery and object art should not exceed 40cm in any one direction.

Submissions are due by the 1^st of October, 2011.

Submissions:

Your expressions of interest should include:

1.)    Images of proposed or similar works (please include appropriate captioning for images, including size of piece and materials)

2.)    Curriculum Vitae

3.)    Artist’s statement relevant to proposed work

Expressions of interested will be accepted via post, email or in person to:       

Email: jess@breathingcolours.com

Post:    Attention: Jessica Page

Breathing Colours

446 Darling Street,

Balmain NSW 2041

Key Dates:

Submissions due 1^st October 2011

Selected artists informed 8^th October

Selected artists work required in the gallery 12^th November

For enquiries please contact:

 jess@breathingcolours.com or (02) 9555 8543

Current Exhibition: Let Them Eat Cake by Carrie McDowell

Carrie McDowell explores the idea of excess, using Marie Antoinette as a perfect source of inspiration. Indulging in the use of colour, texture and materials, Carrie recreates jewellery reminiscent of the ostentatious and ornate pieces commonly worn throughout 17^th and 18^th Centuries.

The exhibition is running from the 30^th of August to the 10^th of September, so be sure to drop by and indulge yourself.

Featured Artist: Ashley Fiona

Ashley Fiona creates small and tactile pieces. Her work is very utilitarian, however this does not override the real sense of character and quirky charm a lot of Ashley's work inherits, a real favourite here at Breathing Colours!   

What started you working as a ceramicist?

The affair started in my first year at uni in 2006, where beginners (including myself) were asking me for advice on clay making skills and techniques... I couldn't answer them at first (I had to ask myself why they were asking me!). There was something more to this seductive material that I had to know more about myself... The discovery continues - Which is part of the beauty of the medium, the potential for discovery is limitless.

Where does your inspiration come from?

My memories and my environment.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Precious keep-safes with a quirky twist.

Tell us a bit about your studio. Do you work alone? Share your space?

My current studio is my lounge room coffee table! My house mates share the space... Does that count?

 As a ceramicist do you have a favourite mug you have you sip your morning tea/coffee out of?

Yes, most definately! I eat and drink almost always from my hand-made collection, it makes whatever you are eating/drinking so much more enjoyable. Hand-made food out of a hand-made bowl, life's simplicities make me smile. For tea I love to drink out of my Sandy Lockwood salt-fired mug and for coffee nothing beats my large porcelain mug by Rosa Chan.

I know that ceramics isn’t your only creative outlet, can you fill us in on your 52 weeks project?

52weeks2011 is a photographic project Vicki Grima and myself are currently working on. We (or you, if you have a suggestion, we welcome suggestions!) set a theme for each week and take seven photos based on that theme. It keeps us busy workers creative on a manageable level... And very much on our toes work-wise. It's an enjoyable creative tangent in contrast to my clay making, it also inspires my ceramics, they compliment one another.

 What’s next for Ashley Fiona? Travel? New work? Inspirations?

 Ideally travel... But that will have to wait for now as new work is being made (yes, in my lounge room on my coffee table) for an exhibition at the end of the yearn titled The Narrative Knot at Manly Art Gallery (December 2011 to January2012). Currently, I have an exhibition of my entire Honours work from 2010 at Hawkesbury Regional Art Gallery titled Human Condition which continues to 21 August. This year is shaping up to be busy and busier... Which is always a good thing for an artist!

Be sure to come in and check out her new pieces (a few pictured above) here at Breathing Colours as well as her blog 52weeks2011 and be sure to have a look our suggestion, 'texture'.