New Zealand's Jewellery on show

Thread visited the New Zealand Jewellery Show at Skycity Convention Centre from 17-19 July 2009 where for three days the rather corporate setting becomes host to all types of jewellery ranging from the classical to the cutting-edge.

In fact it was just this contrast that we were most struck by; the exhibition was trying to be everything to everbody with both the commercial  "fine jewellery" that didn't push any boundaries except perhaps mortgages, with the bizarre and macabre in "handmade jewellery" section that would be quite at home in a contemporary art gallery as much as a store.
 
We particularly enjoyed the Universities' displays, with students from MIT, Unitec, Otago Polytechnic School of Art, Whitireia Polytech and private schools such as Hungry Creek Art & Craft School showing the most creative and exciting works.

Below, handmade pieces we loved.

handSTAND, a hand-picked mini-exhibition of atrists chosen by curator Peter Deckers, showed works by recently graduated and emerging artists with less than four years out of tertiary study. 

Below: Anne-Mieke Ytsma's black and white spray painted necklaces pull together found objects and safety pins.

 
The one thing everything had in common was that they were made in New Zealand and they were all for sale. Each stand was equipped with an Eftpos unit and when we visited n Sunday, women were trying and buying away steadily.

Previously held in Wellington, the show has moved to Auckland; I suppose if the capital got Nelson's Wearable Arts Awards and Auckland sold the Ellerslie Flower Show to "Garden City" Christchurch, it comes as no surprise that jewellery would move to the business end of the country to the city of sales.

I had wondered why people would willingly $18 each to shop at what is basically a giant store but it had attracted a good crowd. Perhaps the attraction of seeing everything on offer all in one place and the ability to meet the designers is its unique drawcard.

It's best to take your time and ask lots of questions and find out what makes your new purchase special, after all you are paying for a piece of handcrafted art, from its creating artist, not a mass-produced import.

Megan Robinson, July 2009