Baked Not Fried: An introduction by Teresa Lane

Viva las fire!

Baked not Fried is what can happen to one persons mind when hours are spent delicately moving fine grains of coloured sand like specs around a small area of metal, measured in millimetres, with the smallest paintbrush art shops will sell. It’s an animal. The results, as can be seen here, are often extraordinary.

The jewellery in this exhibition is fresh and alive. It is clear to see the shift in the way enamel is being used by contemporary jewellers - in its application as a surface, and more importantly in its materiality. Here we can see artists utilising the very substance of enamel for what it can be and what it can do. Look closely to the edges of the pieces and you will see the poetic subtleties of this delicate process - and what can only be planned by not planning.

The abstract and highly graphic forms created by Tabea Reulecke, Bridie Lunney and Jane Millard in conjunction with the organic caresses of Steffi Kalina and Katrina Tyler sit comfortably with the over the top visual punctuations of Jessica Morrison and Katherine Brunacci. Each artist delivers exceptional jewellery and objects characterised by the expressive freedom found in their use of enamel.

Teresa Lane, Estonia, July 2008.