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. 

Paquet_Portrait.jpg

CAMEO:

KIM PAQUET

Halifax, Nova Scotia
@kimpaquetjoailliere


I’m a contemporary jeweller working with the ideas of self-destruction, desire for freedom, and the intricacy of this relationship through juxtaposing raw and precious materials. My intuitive creative process is my understanding of the importance of living in the present, accepting one’s mistakes and moving forward. This instinctive process is as equally important as the end result. It allows me to play with the unpredictable, create around the material’s qualities, and build a personal meaning.

Describe your current work/practice in one sentence.


My inspiration digs into the complex feelings associated with my years working with Montreal’s addicts and homeless communities where I learned the value of mutual trust when everything feels uncertain. My approach to making is reflective of the human capacity towards empathy, acceptance, and a glimmer of hope.

What are three things/ideas that inspire you? 


I'm engaged in a BFA at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Outside of my restless student life here on the East Coast, I had the opportunity through the  Art Factory program, to be an art facilitator and give jewellery workshops at Phoenix Youth Shelter. It was amazing to have the chance to share my passion with them. It made me realize that I miss working with marginal communities and having spontaneous moments of quality. I have also been hired as the jewellery lead on a long-term project in association with Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia, working on the idea of adornment and identity. I collaborated with amazing and inspiring artists on this project, which will be exhibited at Anna Leonowens Gallery on October 19th during Nocturne, an art festival in Halifax. So, besides these artsy projects, and trying to push my artistic practice further as an emerging artist, most of the time, I’m only dealing with the usual student life struggles! 

What other things do you do besides your jewellery practice? 


My journey at NSCAD has been filled with a ton of experiments. I started my first semester by learning enamel and the final pieces of this class ended to be the start of my actual artistic practice/thinking. So, these pieces are very significant to me. Further in the program, I explore the idea of bigger scale jewellery made of concrete and tried to think differently during my making process. I accumulated a ton of samples that ended up to be just prototypes. Luckily, I had the chance to include my work in the NSCAD Fashion Show last April and this change the perspective of these left behind pieces. Seeing them coming alive on the runway bring me a lot of unexpected feelings! 

What is a favourite piece that you’ve made and why? 


Street Gang (2018)
Silver, Copper, Enamel, Steel, Rubber
Image credit: Wiebke Schroeder

How do you carry your traumas? (2019)
Grout, cotton rope, paint, steel
Image credit: Kim Paquet


Growing community, diversity 

What word pops into your mind when you think of Canadian art jewellery? 


Well, I still have a year left if I want to leave Nova Scotia with a degree! During this last one, I’m planning to jump a little bit on the sculpture side while I’m here. I want to see how this art form can influence my thinking towards my jewellery practice. After that, it’s a good question that I don’t have the answer yet but I know I will focus on finding a good fit long term residency! 

What is coming up next for you? 


Published: 2019/10/14