Diamonds have been displaced a girl’s best friend in contemporary jewellery. While designers sometimes work in precious metals, today’s makers are just as likely to work with more commonplace materials such as velcro, glass and paper. Léa Mazy employs resin and aluminium to give the appearance of marble.
The work of the finalists in the Mari Funaki Award for Contemporary Jewellery is devoid of gems and when artists do use fine metals they sometimes do so ironically. David Bielander’s ‘watch’ is made of silver and white but designed to look like a construction of cardboard and staples
The biennial award, established in 2014, honours the life of Australia-Japanese jewellery-maker and gallery owner Mari Funaki.
Thirty-five artists have been shortlisted from an international field of 413 entries from 48 countries. The winners will be announced Tuesday 23 August 2016.
Here are some to make you drool.
Mari Funaki Award for Contemporary Jewellery exhibition,
Tuesday 23 August until Saturday 24 September 2016
Gallery Funaki, 4 Crossley Street, Melbourne
Entry free.
