Interdisciplinary. Community. Advocacy. Humor.
So I was asked to speak at SOFA in 2011 as an emerging artist (if I get into one of the galleries there, ya!) and was told that my work stands out amongst my fellow Canadian jewellery artists. As flattered as I am, it got me thinking about what it means, in terms of artistic style, to be ‘Canadian’? Do Canadian craft artists have a style? Where do we fit in the world of art jewellery? Are we respected? If I were of a different culture would my work be received differently?
To get a better grasp of what ‘Canadian Craft’ looks like, I started browsing Canadian artists on Crafthaus, and our talent is obvious. But I still couldn't put my finger on any one style, concept, or really anything that linked us together, aside from the overwhelming amount of women! (This is a topic for another blog post, but you go girls!)
Then I went to a meeting about SNAG being held in Toronto in 2013! It’s so exciting, like the Olympics of jewellery design! The theme is going to be 'Meta-Mosaic', in other words, a mosaic of people, as opposed to a ‘melting pot’. And that’s when it hit me, it’s not our similarities that unite us, it’s our differences. Generally when identity is discussed, Canadians feel lacking, in that we embrace so many cultures, ‘ours’ gets lost, but that is the strength of our culture, accepting, embracing and uniting everyone, despite our differences. Our identity is a blending of identities making a new ‘Meta-Mosaic’.
Similarly I’ve noticed that in new art and craft work, there is a blending of styles, techniques and materials. ‘Low’ materials are mixed with ‘high’ ones, demolishing the hierarchy of materials and styles. Artists are not only represented by their medium, but the way in which they use it. Sketches are made into gallery worthy artwork, rocks are set like diamonds, and chain is made from hair. I love this movement in style. And it doesn’t seem to be arising from one geographical location, it seems to be a worldwide event, because everyone feels it, the combination and mixing of regimented rules from the past is our legacy. I love it!
So having indulged in all that glorious modern Craft and Canadian pride, I have for you a little sampling of some of the great Canadian jewellery, ceramics, and miscellaneous craft artists I’ve come across in my travels:
(click on the image if a link isn't written)
http://crafthaus.ning.com/photo/among-friends?context=user
http://crafthaus.ning.com/photo/trees-i-have-seen-1?context=user
http://www.brendanseaton.com/Blog.aspx?date=2007/05 (scroll down with this link for Amanda's
piece)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amanda-delacruz/3552281751/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Apa-Design-Jewellery/315971503914#!/p...
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=537280513
http://crafthaus.ning.com/photo/multicephalous-window-box?context=user
http://www.flickr.com/photos/krystalspeck/sets/72157605008971147/
http://crafthaus.ning.com/photo/c060428-1?context=album&albumId=2104389%3AAlbum%3A95321
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