CAMEO IS AN ONGOING SERIES FEATURING CANADIAN JEWELLERY ARTISTS. HERE, THEY SHARE THEIR LATEST THOUGHTS AND INSIGHTS, AND GIVE US A PEEK INTO THEIR PRACTICE.
Describe your current work/practice in one sentence.
A wearable investigation of the impacts of synthetic materials on our past and future.
What are three things/ideas that inspire you?
1) Timothy Morton's idea of plastic as hyperobject, "something that is so vastly distributed in time and space, relative to the observer, that we might not think it’s even an object at all."
2) Materials that are perceived as valuable due to their strength and lightness, or any alternative value structure.
3) Transparency and iridescence
What other things do you do besides your jewellery practice?
Currently I teach at OCAD University in the MAAD Program. I usually teach Jewellery History and Jewellery Concepts, and this year I got to teach Jewellery Production as well. I admire our great teachers and I strive for that - though I think this might be a lifetime pursuit, just as our craft is.
On a whim about six years ago I joined the Navy Reserves. I was very interested in learning to read Morse Code by flashing light. I worked hard on it and did pretty well. Sadly I was part of the second-last communicator class to ever be taught Morse Code in the Canadian Forces, so now my hard earned skill is obsolete. I still have Navy goals though.
I also consider myself to be a fledgling collector of Fine Craft. It's been wonderful to live in Ottawa near L.A. Pai Gallery. I'm always so proud to wear an object made by a friend or mentor. It definitely brings me joy. There are so many artists on my list to collect, it is a never ending pursuit.
I love those moments that are turning points in your trajectory. I look back fondly on my Tidal Collars because that was the first time I paired mother of pearl with neon plastics. My Chainmaille Structure 1 earrings were the first time I attempted to pierce and carve mother of pearl, and finally the In Simulacra Brooch I created for the Automaton exhibition in 2020 was a turning point for me in bringing some ideas together conceptually and formally.
What is a favourite piece that you’ve made and why?
Lindsay MacDonald
Nacre Structure 1 Earrings (2022)
Hand carved black mother of pearl, vintage Bakelite from cutlery handles, silver
Photo by the artist
Lindsay MacDonald
In Simulacra Edition 3 Brooch (2021)
Hand carved white and yellow mother of pearl, vintage cutlery handles, acrylic, silver, steel
Photos by Anthony McLean
I think of Canadian Art Jewellery as being "scrappy". We might not have an over abundance of opportunities, however I admire how the collectives like MetalAid and Co-Adorn have created forums and internationally reaching moments for Canadian jewellers. A great example from 2021 was the Co-Adorn "Camp" exhibition which travelled from Halifax to Ottawa (L.A.Pai Gallery) to Romanian Jewellery Week and back during a pandemic.
While the collectives are working had to keep a National dialogue going, Canadian jewellers are popping up consistently in amazing international exhibitions, galleries and competitions. I think that's a credit to our varied College and University programs and programs such as the Craft Residency at Harbourfront Centre and the Centre for Craft in Halifax.
What word pops into your mind when you think of Canadian art jewellery?
I am actually 7.5 months pregnant right now and still teaching part time, so my production might slow down for a little bit over Spring and Summer. I am looking forward to some stolen bench hours though - and plan to continue to re-stock the galleries that currently carry my work; L.A.Pai Gallery, Galerie Lewis and Craft Ontario Shop & Gallery.
What is coming up next for you?
Published: 2022/02/16
