overview

conversations about jewellery in Aotearoa, NZ

issue #19
October 2014

Overview #19 October 2014

Raewyn Walsh reckons the jewellers at Workshop 6 are alright

editorial

I dont know if a bunch is the correct collective noun here; a quiver sounds pretty good, but I do know that the
jewellers at Workshop 6 went all vagina monologue with their jewellery dialogue and reclaimed this graffti which
turned up on the walls of their workshop. The story goes
Jewellers are actually quite nice people and the celebrations and conversations that :
21st celbration
w6 part of nz jewellery canon
pretty
tin years
moving to
brandlandia
established and new feature school
congrats to neke and becky

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Overview #19 October 2014

happy 21st workshop 6

To be working daily at Workshop 6 was

such a buzz. I know it significantly defined
my life and work and I wonder where Id
be now if I hadnt landed there. There was
fun and jolly japes every day. We jewelled,
we gossiped, we danced, we philosophised,
we ate, we drank, we taught, we were
taught, we answered 5,790,863 phone calls,
we dealt with 9,228 pop-ins, we cut our
fingers, we bruised our thumbs, we burnt
our hair. No one died thats success!
- Jane

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Overview #19 October 2014

I loved Workshop 6, Anna, Helen, Areta; we started out renting an office space in an old laundry building
in Grey Lynn and painted the walls bright yellow. Id just returned from a couple of years away travelling and heard someone called Areta was looking for a workshop. She knew Anna and Helen who were
looking for spaces too. We hooked up, pooled equipment and made lots of jewels. We laughed alot, we
worked really well together. I cant remember one argument? But then again it was a bloody long time
ago, 21 years, jesus. We started up the night classes to help pay the rent and bills. We did exhibitions together. I left after about three years to go to Munich. It was hard to leave.
- Lisa
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Overview #19 October 2014

Memories of Workshop 6 are many and varied, but the overwhelming feeling I have is one of friendship.
From the very early days we always had a common goal. Initially it was to set up a place not just for us to work,
but a place for other jewellery graduates to work as well. We knew how hard it was to maintain momentum and
commitment to our craft when we worked alone.
I remember the first meeting with Anna and Lisa at Verona on K Rd, and setting up our first studio in Surrey Crescent where the old Auckland Laundry used to be. Our first group show, and looking at the building in
Kingsland Terrace an upstairs and a downstairs with no walls, no stairs connecting the floors, and pacing out
some space to say well have this much. Aretas Dad spray-painting the walls, and endless pots of tea with
our many visitors. Making our own work, but then coming together for shared projects like parts of a puzzle
that fitted perfectly.
Practising what we would say to our first nightclass students - and later on realising that we have shared our jewellery knowledge with hundreds. The annual Christmas do, and the flash dinner out to celebrate another year.
For me, Workshop 6 has always been about the jewellery, but also about the people. A place where work and
friendships are made, in an environment of support, fun, kindness and respect.
- Helen

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Overview #19 October 2014

I feel very lucky to have found workshop 6, in fact

I cant quiet remember how I did stumble upon this
magical place! Arriving in New Zealand a year earlier
with only a backpack of belongings meant the shared
tools and space were a necessity, but to also make some
fantastic friends was something quite unexpected. Many
years of support and sharing knowledge have followed
with lots of laughs along the way.
The location of workshop 6 has resulted in many
interesting visitors. My favourite was a German visitor
who arrived in full cycling regalia. He mustve cycled for
quite sometime because he was sweating prefusly as he
determinedly showed us his jewellery. None of us were
quite sure where to look as we tried to focus on the
jewellery. And they just keep on coming, often wanting
a hug or to have a wee nap on our sofa. I do hope they
know that were moving!
- Cheryl
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Overview #19 October 2014

Workshop6 has always been more than a jewellery studio. In Anna Wallis words it seems more like a clubhouse,
a place to make but also an integrated part of our lives where experiences are shared, the good the bad and the
ugly. The main aspect that would sum up my feelings on Workshop6 is the sense of comradeship that builds
working alongside like minded jewellers. Banter and tea oil the cogs of Workshop6 but when the workshop is on
a roll, sometimes it seems like a bustling Santas workshop bursting out with treasures of contemporary jewellery.
The environment is one of support and the bolstering of individuals courage to create the most idiosyncratic
jewellery possible.
Recent times have introduced mini members brandishing nylon hammers and helping sort steel stamps and
fridge magnets while we catch up for cake dates. Nightclass students fill up the workshop on a Tuesday and
Wednesday evening, satisfying the social tea and banter requirements and helping to maintain the workshop with
a strong and enthusiastic work ethic. Some of our returning students have been with us for years now and weve
built up a great community that feels more like an extension of our daytime activities than a student/teacher scenario.
Celebrating 21 years in existence has brought us together with renewed energy and were looking forward to installing a fresh configuration of Workshop6 in the Royal Jewellery Studio building in December, luring back some
old friends with our palatial new space.
- Mia
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Overview #19 October 2014

Its hard to believe Workshop 6 has finally come of age! I came of age in my first year out of Unitec when I
was lucky enough to be accepted into the school of life that is Workshop 6. Everything I know about life and
jewellery- from Jewellery is Life (thanks Mah Rana!) to Its just Jewellery! (thanks Mia Straka!)- I learnt between the concrete, pickle-stained, cob-webbed, green and purple walls of Workshop 6.
In my thirteen years of jewelling there (and even the last two when Ive been jewelling with fellow ex-pat Jane
Dodd in Dunedin) I and my fellow Sixians have experienced personal and jewellery highs and lows which we
have all taken on as a team. We have made it through births, deaths, love, illness, travel, winning prizes, outright
rejection, schmuck, no schmuck, riches (not so much), poverty (plenty), masterpieces and complete cock-ups
and found that the cure or celebration for almost anything can be found in a cup of tea, a sneaky glass of Jamesons in a tea cup or a rag dance*.
Workshop 6 is not just a place to work, its a state of mind. Thank you Workshop 6, heres to every amazing
jeweller who graced your benches, and every night class student who broke a sawblade, please raise your teacups
and toast to another 21 years!
* a rag dance is a term coined for spontaneous dancing of any style to a selection of favourite songs when they
crop up on the radio or iTunes, the only stipulation being the dancer must wield a rag at the time of dancing.
- Octavia

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Overview #19 October 2014

benchview
From Workshop 6 to Dunedin, Octavia Cook send the view from her bench

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Overview #19 October 2014

Brandlandia
BRANDLANDIA In September this year the PERSONAL SPACE PROJECT, a gallery situated in the bedroom of Zoe
Brand, celebrated its first birthday with the collaborative work of New Zealand jewellers Renee Bevan and Jhana Millers. The text and
images below were first published on the Personal Space Projects website during September 2014.

an idea at the personal space project, september 2014

A collaborative project by Renee Bevan + Jhana Millers
an idea is an ongoing project and collaboration by Renee Bevan and Jhana Millers. It involves the creation and
exhibition of instructional ideas for artworks both online and in the public space. In the spirit of other do-ityourself art projects it invites you, the public, to author and activate these ideas. - RB + JM

I have been a huge fan of New Zealand jewellers Renee Bevan and Jhana Millers for quite some time. Their highly
conceptual, often performative works and outer edge practices have always drawn my interest. Needless to say Im
thrilled to be exhibiting their collaborative work for the Personal Space Projects first year anniversary. Bevan and
Millers are certainly putting me through my paces, with five ideas, some that are sure to test my boundaries, will
be activated throughout the month of September. These ideas have previously been exhibited separately, so this
is the first time the whole set has been put into action in the same location.
Both Bevan and Millers have had the fortunate opportunity to participate in Handshake, a New Zealand based
intensive mentoring program set up by jeweller and educator Peter Deckers. Millers who participated in the
first iteration back in 2011 had the great privilege to be mentored by European based Suska Mackert. Mackert
is jeweller who hardly makes any jewellery, instead is more interested in jewellery as a phenomenon and creates
works though performance, text and documentation. While Bevan, currently in the program is working under
American based artist Harrell Fletcher, whose work walks the instructional, interdisciplinary and social line and
pushes the possibilities of art practice. So perhaps it is not surprising that Bevan and Millers would be drawn to
similar artists, ways of working and approaching ideas. It is really fascinating to see their shared interest in working
across jewellery and conceptual art, and how this has manifested particularly into this collaborative project.
Bevan and Millers are asking us to slow down, take a chance and really think about the possibilities that these
proposed ideas might afford. Im certainly excited about how I will interact with them, what outcomes might arise
and how they will affect me. - ZB

1/ Select a number from the phone book. Phone this number and ask whoever answers to share a story about a
piece of jewellery that is special to them. Continue until you encounter someone willing to share their story. an
idea is a collaborative project by Renee Bevan & Jhana Millers 2013
As someone who uses their phone for everything but calling people, this first instruction from Bevan and Millers,
was certainly the most terrifying prospect. How was I going to introduce myself ? What would I say to keep the
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Overview #19 October 2014

person on the line long enough for them to not think I was crazy? Im not going to lie I did a few practice runs
aloud to myself.
I actually had to borrow a phonebook from the library, as they no longer seem to be as ubiquitous as they once
were. Having picked my first random household to call and a further six unanswered attempts, I finally dialed a
business number hoping to at least get a someone in which to give my rehearsed spiel to.
Success arrived on the other end of the line in the form of the lovely and very professional Shannon. I quickly
and nervously ran though an introduction, she seemed accommodating, if busy, but really wanted to think about
how she might respond since, she confessed that she wore little jewellery. Wanting to give the request some further
thought and in a manner pertaining to a perfect business call, she took my number and said she would call me
back on her lunch break. I was a little surprised but also delighted when she called back later in the day to offer
me a story about a necklace that her brother and his wife given her as a gift. Shannon described the necklace as
having large abnormal shaped beads in olive green, with one plain wood bead for effect. The reason that she liked
this piece was that it was by made by company that supports a number of charities, so that no only was it a gift
from loved ones but it also carried a social message. For Shannon wearing this piece is less about the look of it
and more about these meanings. After a bit more chitchat I thanked Shannon for her time and hung-up. What a
great outcome! - ZB
2/ Select a piece of jewellery that carries significance but that you no longer wear or need. Carry it until encountering
someone you feel may like it. Anonymously gift this to them by dropping it in their pocket, bag, letterbox, or on
their desk etc. an idea is a collaborative project by Renee Bevan & Jhana Millers 2013
For this instruction I chose to go to my traditional (as opposed to art) jewellery box to find something that I was
will willing to pass on. This was far harder than I thought it would be. My traditional jewellery box contains little
material worth, mostly cheap silver pieces, beads, badges, sparkly brooches and rings, lots of rings. But looking
into that box of jewellery that I never wear and hardly look at, associated memories of each piece started to niggle
on my mind. This instruction I thought would be easy, but the more I let in seep into my thoughts, the more I was
sure that I wanted the piece to be accepted by its new owner. I didnt want them to think - Hey whats this weird
piece of jewellery doing in my bag (desk, pocket etc)? How creepy is that? Im not going to keep it! - well, perhaps
it might go differently to that. However thats possibly what I would do if the situation were reversed.
I thought to get past this barrier I could leave a note with the piece that said something like a gift for you or
this is for you, please like it but decided against this idea as it just didnt seem in keeping with the essence of the
instruction. I wanted to choose a piece that was not so obviously personal in the way the jewellery can be, and
hoping that this would work in favor with its new owner.
So I selected a badge. There is something about the archetype of the badge that I feel would be more accepted by
a stranger than say a silver ring, or a beaded necklace. This badge was purchased as a souvenir of a time but also
because of its associations with previous memories that I had related to it. Its a simple white badge with red text,
It reads LOVE FOREVER - KUSAMA.
I havent found the perfect new owner for this piece yet, but Ill continue to carry it around until I do. - ZB

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Overview #19 October 2014

3/ Using gold leaf, or gold paint, guild your neighbours letter box numbers. If there arent numbers make a trip
to your local hardware store to buy some. an idea is a collaborative project by Renee Bevan & Jhana Millers 2013
Ive been thinking about this one for so many nights, I went out and bought some gold leaf and had run though
in my head exactly how it was all going to work out. It was going to be so beautiful, majestic even. It was going to
look SO good! Well, what a disaster! Instead of perfection, I have vandalised my poor neighbours letterbox. Its
bad, its real bad. Its a gold leaf explosion stuck, stuck everywhere.
So the moral of the story, never gold leaf anything, ever. In all seriousness though, this one has really challenged
me, what I thought would be a touch of whimsy, actually turned out to be vandalism. How do I feel about this?
Pretty horrible really. To be fair the instructions dont say go out in the middle of the night and anonymously
make gold your neighbours house numbers, in hindsight I could have knocked on my neighbours door and asked
them politely if they would like their numbers turned to gold. If this was the case I could have taken my time, not
hustled out in the middle of the night, not acted hastily, and not bodged up my neighbours property.
I now face the conundrum of what to do. Do I fess up and offer to try and fix it, sheepishly ignore it, or go back
in the night and try and remove it all without the neighbours ever being the wiser who was responsible for such
an weird act gold leaf vandalism? - ZB
4/ Imagine a big chunky bracelet. Imagine it in your favourite colour. Imagine it on your right wrist. Now imagine
you can never take it off, ever. an idea is a collaborative project by Renee Bevan & Jhana Millers instruction in
collaboration with Roya Hazel Lea 2014
Whenever I read this idea, my mind creates the exact same vivid response every time: A Susan Cohn style donut
bracelet (but the size and weight of a swimming float), coloured super shiny purple (even thought I dont really
like purple), on my right wrist as I hold my arm out in front of me. Then I get to the kicker; you can never take it
off, ever. At this thought, my arm, followed quickly by the rest of my body drops to the ground, as if the bracelet
is now the weight of lead.
5/ Using an object as a connector, connect yourself to another. Stay that way - an idea is a collaborative project by
Renee Bevan & Jhana Millers 2014
This idea has somewhat troubled me, not because its difficult but because, like the previous idea, my mind creates
the exact same response every time I think about it.
I want to think of something else, something more authentic, more true to the instruction, but my mind doesnt
think anything could be as funny as the scenario it has already conjured up. It doesnt want to make this idea
serious, it wants to keep it light hearted and giggle worthy. So be it:
I imagine that Im I looking at the palm of my hand, the bottom of the ring I wear everyday is facing up at me.
I now reach my arm out and place my hand flat on the nearest wall to me, Im in a hallway, so there are people
moving about me. I realise that my hand via my ring is connecting me to the wall like a strong magnet, its stuck,
Im stuck. I dont struggle, in fact Im happy and wave with my free hand, nod my head and grin at passers, I stay
this way forever.
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Overview #19 October 2014

feature school
The Manukau Institute of Technology has some cool stuff on offer

13.

Overview #19 October 2014

LOST WAX CASTING

WORKSHOP

2 DAYS $160
November 15th and 16th 2014
Learn the ancient art of lost wax casting,
making your own silver or bronze jewellery
pieces. You will be introduced to a range of
wax working techniques and will then follow
the casting process, from beginning to end,
through investment and burnout, melting
and then centrifugally casting your finished
works.

Info and bookings: Fran Allison 9688765 x8191

14.

M.I.T. is offering a
Diploma in Advanced Jewellery Practice (level 6)
If you are looking to extend your jewellery practice or have a project that you
are itching to do, come and spend a year with a team of highly trained
industry professionals to realise your aims.
This one-year diploma is for established jewellers from art or trade
backgrounds who want to refine and advance their practice through
completion of a self built individual project.
All classes cater for a range of interests, from contemporary jewellery, through
fashion and fine jewellery. The student chooses his or her own path by their
research focus.
You will work in a vibrant workshop interacting with jewellery students from all
levels and from across the wider Creative Arts Faculty.

You will
be asked toFran
attend
an interview
to discuss your aims and to bring
Apply
by contacting
Allison
fran.allison@manukau.ac.nz
along
examples
of
your
work
that
demonstrate
your experience.
09 968 8765 ext 8191
Jewellery has been taught at M.I.T. since the 1970s we are very well
resourced our facilities are world-class.
Each student has an individual studio space and access to a shared
workshop with 40 benches (all with gas and pendant drill).
Around the main workshop you can also access a series of specialist side
workshops for:

Lapidary
Forging
Lost wax casting
Enamelling
Polishing

Resin and plastics

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small talk
Jewellery exhibitions, events, and workshops

Auckland

Auckland

Masterworks Gallery
Nov 9 - 29
Main Gallery - Shelly Norton: Plate
Jewellery Box - Chloe Rose Taylor

Objectspace
Nov 8 - Dec 20
Fingers Jewellery for Aotearoa New Zealand

Royal Jewellery Studio

Oct 24 - Nov 14
Marie Erl: Neonicotinoids

Fingers Gallery
Dec
Annual Group Show
Whau Studios
Nov 23 - 24
Studio bench sale

Christchurch

Wellington

The National
Oct - Nov
Craig McIntosh

The Dowse Art Museum

Oct - Feb
Solo - featuring Moniek Schijer

Nov - Dec
Manon van Kouswijk
Roseanne Bartley

The See Here

Oct - Nov
Peter Deckers

Cantebury Museum
Nov - March
Areta Wilkinson: Whakapaipai, Jewellery as Pepeha

Toi Poneke
Nov 21 - Dec 13
HANDshake

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Overview #19 October 2014

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