The RBSA’s current Craft exhibition ‘Reclaim’ highlights a growing awareness concerning sustainability and the recycling or reusing of unwanted items.
This exhibition will attempt to explore the varied and interesting methods for reusing found items and incorporating them into unique, contemporary jewellery and craft work.
‘Reclaim’ is an intriguing exhibition featuring a diverse range of designer makers from across the country who creatively utilise recycled and found materials in their craft-making practice.
Working with textiles and salvaged material, Alison Stockmarr is a designer maker inspired by the worn qualities of the items she sources, with much of her work being a collation of reappropriated fragments that consider the past.
Producing corsages, earrings, buttons and brooches, she creates visual archaeologies that afford the viewer glimpses of forgotten stories. Seeking out and rejuvenating discarded objects and materials is key to her work and she endeavours to breathe a unique, contemporary beauty back into these recycled materials. As part of this exhibition, Alison has created bespoke pieces, specifically exploring the history of Birmingham and the RBSA’s 200 year old contribution to the city’s heritage.
>Judith Brown’s Vintage Collection uses recycled mother of pearl vintage buttons, mostly from the Edwardian era, to create unusual and often unique jewellery. In our throw away society she aims to highlight the simple beauty of such everyday objects, once so precious as to have been hoarded away by our grandmothers in the times of ‘make do and mend’.
Hannah Lobley has developed the internationally exhibited and award winning Paperwork: a unique recycling technique using the printed pages of unwanted books and paper. Producing a solid wood like material, Hannah has created sculptures using traditional wood working methods.
Also exhibiting in ‘Reclaim’ is April Doubleday who reworks recycled ebony and wood from musical instruments, along with recycled copper and shells to produce exquisite and individual jewellery incorporating a range of silversmithing techniques including etching and forging.
An Alleweireldt uses unusual materials such as old records and ice lolly sticks to create high quality and wearable jewellery whilst Tayo Shakouri’s textile jewellery, made from PVC and vintage fabrics, reflects her interest in psychedelic patterns.
Explore some of the ways in which contemporary designer makers are contributing to the sustainability of our resources and enjoy a unique opportunity to buy distinctive, handmade jewellery and craftwork.
Prices range from £10 – £1700 Contact Tara Quinn or Louise Sanders. RBSA Gallery, 4 Brook St, St Paul’s Square, Birmingham (0121 236 4353) www.rbsa.org.uk