To infinity and beyond: Zilberschmuck artists interpret ‘absolute’

by charlene_voisin | August 1, 2014 9:00 am

By Jacquie De Almeida

What comes to mind when you think of the word, ‘absolute’?

That’s the question jewellers and metalsmiths from across Canada set out to answer at Zilberschmuck’s annual National Juried Exhibition of Canadian Fine Jewellery and Metalwork.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the show, which invited both professional and student artists to explore the formal and conceptual ideas behind the meaning the word ‘absolute’ through metal, diamonds, and gemstones.

Best of Show went to Pam Tymensen, a newly graduated George Brown College student, who has been accepted into the Zilberschmuck exhibition for the past three years. According to contest organizer Cheryl Fraser, no student has applied as many times before and been accepted to the show during their studies.

Featuring 999 and 925 silver and set with a tourmaline, Tymensen’s ‘-273ÂºC’ brooch/pendant was created using the techniques of granulation and foldforming. She says her take on ‘absolute’ is based on the scientific principle of absolute zero.

“Figuring out how to best represent it took some time,” Tymensen tells Jewellery Business. “I have a habit of picking up unusual gemstones when I see them, and I had in my collection the perfect icy blue tourmaline to fit the theme. To represent the molecules, I wanted to use granulation. I was able to teach myself this technique with the assistance of teachers in my independent studies class, and from there worked out the form and shape. In a piece with just a handful of elements, it is important to use every line and texture to say exactly what you want, so everything must be carefully considered.”

The award marked Tymensen’s first win at Zilberschmuck. “I was not expecting to receive a prize at all,” she says. “The show is always full of amazing ideas, talent, and skill. For me, just being accepted to the exhibition is wonderful. I find seeing the level of jewellery accepted in previous shows is both intimidating and inspiring, which pushes me to continue to improve my work every year.”

As with past exhibitions, each artist’s definition of the theme is always interesting to note, Fraser says.

“‘On The Rocks’ by Petra Luz was made of squares of pyrite and various sizes of constructed solid silver closed and open cubes to represent the ice in vodka on the rocks. The design interspersed pyrite with the silver cubes and because of the difference between the two materials and their sizes, it created tension and made an interesting design. The catch was wonderful, too, taking a linear open cube and making a solid box part of the connection for the clasp.”

This year, 44 artists from across the country submitted 52 entries for the juried exhibition, which was on display at Toronto’s 18Karat in May. The blind jury selected 22 interpretations from 18 artisans. Half the entries were from students currently enrolled in a Canadian art and design college or university.

Art metal worker David Ivens, Christian Bernard Singer, curator with the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, and goldsmith Annette VanLeeuwen, awarded the prizes and selected submissions for inclusion in the show.

Although the Zilberschmuck gallery closed its doors just over a year ago, Fraser says the contest shows no signs of slowing down.

“The metalsmith community looks forward to this exhibition and they all wanted the show to continue; many are already looking forward to next year’s call for entry,” she says. “It appears to be less about the space and more about the exhibition and how it has grown over the years. Each year, I am amazed at how many new people apply—some are emerging artists I did not know, while others are students new to the scene. Recently, schools from outside the Toronto area are encouraging their students to apply, mostly as their teachers know about the show and have applied themselves in the past.”

The lack of a permanent gallery opens up new possibilities, Fraser notes.

“I think this is the way to go. Next year, I plan to take it to another gallery and perhaps out of the province and really make it a national show by having it exhibited in different spaces across the country.”

Others participating in the ‘Absolute’ exhibition are:

Jackie Anderson, Calgary
Jeremy Carson*, Barrie, Ont.
Anick Dusseault, Outremont, QC
Kesha Frank*, Toronto
Charles Funnell, Cobourg, Ont.
Kristina Knuckle*, Toronto
Ann L. Lumsden, Ottawa
Mariel Pagliai, Burlington, Ont.
Susan Remnant, Garibaldi Highlands, BC
Paul Rizzuto* Halifax
Kris Schlagintweit, Yellowknife
Michaela Wolfert, Almonte, Ont.

*Entries from students currently enrolled in Canadian art and design colleges and universities, including: École de Joaillerie de Québec, George Brown College, Georgian College, New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, Ontario College of Art and Design University.

To infinity and beyond: Zilberschmuck artists interpret ‘absolute’

Others participating in the ‘Absolute’ exhibition are:

Sponsors