Introducing the Chain Reaction Participants

In the next couple of months we will be showcasing work by the artists below as part of our Chain Reaction Exhibition. We are really excited about bringing together the beautiful, diverse range of jewellery by these makers.

Below is a sneak peak of our participants, to find out more about the maker just click on their image. This exhibition will part of European Heritage Open Days, Culture night Belfast and on show in the Space CRAFT gallery during October. For further information check out our AJN Projects page.

Lorna Boyle is a recent graduate of the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, receiving First Class Honours in Craft Design: Jewellery and Metals. She is currently based in London where will be starting my MDes at Goldsmith’s University in September. ‘My work makes precious the overlooked spaces of our urban landscape. I focus on cracks in pavements and walls, recreating the negative spaces and treating the new solid objects as if precious stones, setting them in jewellery pieces. I achieve this through mould making and electroforming, as well as 3D scanning and printing. My jewellery pieces are designed to be precious relics of Dublin city, part of a reverse treasure hunt where the wearer is encouraged to seek out the origin of the piece. The idea is for the wearer to explore and engage with the city like never before, gaining a new understanding and appreciation for the beauty that can be found in the most mundane corners of our surroundings.’ You can find out more information about Lorna through her website http://lornaboyle.carbonmade.com/ You can also follow Lorna on her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/lornaboyledesigner Or Twitter @lorna_porna

Kirsty Reilly is an experimental maker based in Belfast, Ireland, inspired by natural forms “My work is inspired by the natural world-the moon and landscapes. With the use of various materials and processes I hope to evoke a sense of mystery, and intrigue. Mountains, lunar shapes and earthy forms are represented as obscure yet tactile pieces of jewellery. In this series I wanted to push the boundaries of the materials used, experimenting with different pigments, and inks in an attempt to mimic the reactions and decay found in nature. In my practice I enjoy mixing materials that would not normally be in combination; wood and plastic, sand and PVA, couple to create dynamic anomalies of form.” You can see more of Kirsty’s fabulous work in the Chain Reaction Exhibition. The first show will open at St. Georgre’s Church Saturday 13th September.

Kellie Crickard Ruddy recently graduated from the University of Ulster, Belfast. Kellie is a contemporary jeweller preserving family traditions within Irish culture. Establishing a new language between materials passed down through generations. Using hybrid of materials, recreating the silhouette of pearls and using building materials i am putting a contemporary twist on traditional trades and processes that keep my family ethos alive. Using materials or processes that would have been used but in a new way I want to keep these alive, have there stories told. Keeping story telling alive but in the form of jewellery. Wool pearls-wool set in a silhouette of a string of pearls, inspired by my grandmother working in a pearl factory in West Belfast. Dipping- looking at the different processes that went on in the pearl factory, dipping and stringing, but adding other materials to represent different parts of my history,making up who I am. Soap memories- the smell that evokes different memories, gender of soap, who used which soap and class status the soap represented. And remembering my granny leaving bars of soap everywhere, leaving the scent behind. Brick pearls- using brick clay to represent my great grandfather, using the same processes,looking at trades and industries within Belfast. Bogging-cutting the turf within Irish culture and traditions, memories of my grandfather on my dads side from Donegal. Continuous string of pearls, never ending memories. You can find out more information about Kellie and fabulous work through her website http://www.kelliecrickardruddy.com/ Or you can follow Kellie on Twitter @kelliecrickard

Jaki Coffey is a Dublin based designer / maker. Jaki recently graduated with a first class honours from the National College of Art and Design, Dublin, in the Bachelor of Design in Craft Design (Metal and Jewellery). Her work comprises of narratives translated into the playful objects and jewellery. She achieves her intentions with attentive design and careful consideration of materials – which range from precious metals to found objects. Her pieces are collectable objects which translate to wearables. You can find out more information about Jaki and her fabulous work through her website http://www.jakicoffey.com/ You can also follow Jaki on her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jakicoffeydesignermaker Or Twitter @JakiCoffey

Grace Wilson recently graduated from the University of Ulster, Belfast. ‘Like a painter, I play with materials instinctively; letting momentary happenings replace overworked designs and consequently bringing unexpected value that was never originally anticipated. Intrigued by the resourcefulness of African kids making toys from whatever they can find, my work questions what society counts as rubbish or of no value by transforming and giving everyday found materials purpose again. Just like these kids, I allow the honesty and directness of both the material and hand process to come through each piece by combining contrasting materials in a free and raw way to show the limitless qualities of humble materials. By purposely keeping the work in what might seem like an unresolved state it stays open to interpretation. This encourages the viewer to invest in the piece emotionally based on their own personal associations with what they see and to realize that it has a different kind of value- the kind of value that can’t be bought. Second Chances Objects that no longer seem usable in the eyes of one person are given a chance to live a second life when they pass through the makers hands. What previously was considered to be unusable becomes valuable again.’ You can find out more about Grace and her fabulous work through her website http://www.gracewilsonmaker.com/ You can also follow Grace on her twitter @gracewilson891

Angela O’Keefe is an experimental jeweller whose work is defined by its unique language using salt crystals, glass shards and crushed semi precious gemstones in combination with gold, silver, resin and pigment. Her practice is driven by experimentation and she often employs deliberate chance when creating her jewels. The Salt Crystal Collection was inspired by a swim in the Dead Sea. Emerging from the water she was captivated by the crystals of salt that formed on her skin in the sunlight. For her, these Dead Sea crystals represented the very purest form of jewellery. Angela combines salt crystals with precious metals, resin and pigment to enhance the natural beauty and emphasise the elemental nature of salt, as an essential substance for life. You can find out more information about Angela and her fabulous work through her website http://www.angelaokeefe.com/. You can also follow Angela on her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/angelaokeefejewellery or on twitter @okeefejewellery

Lynsay Raine is a contemporary jeweller based in Belfast. Lynsay began her training as a metalsmith in Dublin, before completing a contemporary jewellery degree during her eight years living in Auckland, New Zealand. Using Duality as a framework Lynsay Raine takes inspiration from the functional to make the decorative. You can find more information about Lynsay and her fabulous work through her website http://www.lynsayraine.com/ You can also follow Lynsay on her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lynsay-Raine-Jewellery

Maria Moodie recently graduated from the University of Ulster Belfast. Marie’s work is fun, tactile, vibrant jewellery with a hint of comfort. Made from a variety of sponge like foams and fluorescent powders, that have been moulded into oversized chains and beaded necklaces, to create a playful twist on classic designs. Interaction is an important element in discovering the tangible qualities within each piece, whether that be wearing, holding, or squeezing. The cheerful colours provide a light heartedness and combined with the smooth textures, entice the viewer to approach. The exuberant energy channelled through these soft materials allows the wearer to feel connected simply through the sense of touch. You can can follow Maria and her fabulous work on through this link http://www.enjoygram.com/moodiejewellery or through Twitter @MoodieJewellery

Dr Sarah McAleer

Suzanne Rogers is an artist based in Dublin. She holds an MA in Design (Metals) and a BDes in Metals from the National College of Art & Design. In 2005 she studied Engraving and Enamelling in Ecole Boulle in Paris as part of her degree. Suzanne teaches Metals and Art in Inchicore College of Further Education, Dublin. ‘The Irish field gate is a piece of beauty, cultural history and a functional object that has stood the test of time and who’s aesthetic has deepened, helping to create a very distinct vision of rural Ireland. My collection of Art Jewellery explores the cultural heritage and unique landscape in Ireland as embodied in the Irish field gate. These gates are often in a state of disrepair so the farmer or landowner often improvise repairs with other gates, bits of wood, branches, twine, chain, barbed wire, based solely on the resources available at the time. The combination of materials, colours and textures are typical of what we see in the Irish landscape. Through forging, fabricating and surface exploration I create Jewellery that is structurally strong but contains the whimsical appearance of the “repaired” field gate. Each piece is unique, using different metals combined in various ways from simple rivets to more complex brackets. The raw materials are a combination of found metal, pattern forged steel, mild rusted steel, silver and gold.’ You can find out more information about Suzanne and her fabulous work through her website http://www.srogersdesign.com/ You can also follow Suzanne through her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzanne-Rogers-Jewellery Or on Twitter @Suzanne__Rogers

Tara J Murphy is a contemporary jewellery from Belfast who now lives in England. Tara is currently artist in residence in the jewellery and metalwork department at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham where she also teaches and is a learning mentor for students with disabilities. Tara is primarily concerned with the use, re-use and re-interpretation of materials. She is attracted to the transient nature and impermanent qualities found in the ephemera of everyday life. She finds beauty in the discarded and transforms these off-casts of consumer society into conscious and beautiful wearable items. This line, while a new direction, continues Tara’s long held belief in being resourceful by seeking to use whatever materials are at hand. Discarded materials are utilised for their aesthetic and symbolic associations to act as visual reminders of material consumption leading to conversation, conservation and sustainable practices. You can find out more information about Tara and her fabulous work through her website http://www.tjmdesign.co.uk

Robyn Galway is a Jewellery Artist currently based in Belfast, Ireland. In 2012-2013 she spent a year studying in Finland and interning in Estonia. Now back home, Robyn has just graduated from the University of Ulster, Belfast with a 1st Class Honours degree in Jewellery. An enthusiastic maker, she has been involved in six exhibitions locally and in Geneva/Finland/Estonia and Italy since the start of the year. Inspired by the blurring boundaries between craft and art she defines herself as a “Jeweller questioning Jewellery”. With her latest series of work, “Get a Grip” Robyn invites the Public to challenge their perceptions of Jewellery. Taking everyday objects, such as a doorknob, out of context, it is used as a prop to start the conversation what is the definition of contemporary jewellery, what does it mean to be wearable? “Through touch is it worn and if so, is everything Jewellery?” For further information on her work you can visit Robyn’s Website or follow her on facebook and twitter. http://www.robyngalway.com http://www.facebook.com/RobynGalwayARTelier http://www.twitter.com/Robyn_Galway

Shannon McShane is a silversmith/jeweller based in Belfast, Ireland. Since graduating from the University of Ulster, Belfast in 2011, Shannon has set up her own studio in Belfast city centre where she continues to make and exhibit her works. She recently interned for Estonian jeweller, Tanel Veenre in April/May this year. Shannon’s work consists of found objects that have been washed up upon the shore. Her concept is to take these found objects and through the creative process of jewellery and silversmithing techniques, turning them into another object. Shannon’s intention is to re-integrate these fragments into everyday life after their abandonment at sea. These fragments were once complete items of tableware, pots, vases and other decorative artefacts from the domestic home. Through collecting these fragments and creating protective pouches with string and pins they are turned into wearable jewellery, giving them new life in a different form. You can view more of Shannon’s coastal inspired creations on her website http://www.shannonmcshane.co.uk You can also follow Shannon on her page https://www.facebook.com/shannonmcshanejewellery

Lotus is jeweller based in County Down, Ireland. Lotus’s work consists of jewellery and small sculptures predominantly made from precious metals. Her work is currently influenced by entomology, origami and illustration. After studying jewellery and silversmithing in the University of Ulster, Belfast Lotus undertook a placement with goldsmith Dr Sarah McAleer in her contemporary jewellery gallery, Golddigger 79. In 2007 Lotus participated in Craft NI’s two year ‘making it’ programme, since then Lotus has continued to produce and exhibit work whilst working from her workshop at home in Holywood, County Down. You can view more of Lotus’s intricate creations on her website. http://www.lotusdewit.com