Beneath the Surface | Exhibition
Beneath the Surface was a solo exhibition of fine gold and silver jewellery and objects presented at Melbourne's Pieces of Eight Gallery on April 6 - 29, 2017. A selection of work from this show later travelled to Artisan in Brisbane for a solo exhibition on June 15 - August 19, 2017.
The collection comprised over 40 unique individually hand made pieces in silver and gold, created using lost wax casting and hand fabrication techniques with a focus on locally sourced Australian sapphires. It also included Cerulean Odyssey, a unique silver object created to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.
Supporting the jewellery and objects were a series of neuroscience images created at the University of Queensland's Queensland Brain Institute. These images were sold as limited edition fine art prints coinciding with the exhibitions with 100% of profits directed towards schizophrenia research.
Beneath the Surface rings | 18ct yellow gold, Australian blue-green sapphire, brilliant white diamonds.
We are amidst a revolution in scientific imaging, especially for brain science. Our growing capability to make the invisible visible is revealing previously unknown worlds of hidden beauty within us. As we explore these worlds we are making profound discoveries about disease, consciousness, and ourselves. We are also reminded of the connection between all living things, unfolding microscopic structures beneath our skin reflect those in the depths of the ocean. Strangely, it is our exploration of the sea which has enabled us to illuminate the living brain and journey inwards.
Beneath the Surface is inspired by my work in neuroscience and represents an exploration into the shared connection between the mind, consciousness, and the sea. Scientific images from the University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute demonstrate our ability to image microscopic structures and living brain cells, made possible through the use of fluorescent proteins discovered in jellyfish and corals. Fine jewellery and objects crafted in gold and silver explore the shared patterns of life. Delicate forms of ordered complexity simultaneously represent the invisible worlds of cellular machinery, marine life, and dynamic connectivity within the brain. More broadly the works reflect the unfolding nature of life, inviting us to contemplate our coming out of the world, rather than coming into it.
A short film created by George Katsalidis documenting the creation and story behind Beneath the Surface, with thanks to Pieces of Eight Gallery
Veil ring: 1ct Australian parti sapphire, 18ct white gold and 18ct yellow gold.
Reaching | Sterling silver, Australian blue and parti sapphires.
"Within the in-between" reveals the brain cells and their complex interwoven processes. To create this image varying colours have been used to reflect the changing depths of the neuronal processes as they extend through the brain. This image was captured at high-resolution in 3D using state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy at the University of Queensland's, Queensland Brain Institute.
"Beneath the Surface" was created in collaboration with Dr. Jeremy Ullmann, Research Fellow in Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital. Taking advantage of the transparent skin of the zebrafish we were able to image and observe individual neurons within the brain and body. To create a single image of a fish we had to acquire of 20GB of images before carefully reconstructing them. This image was captured at high-resolution in 3D using state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy at the University of Queensland's, Queensland Brain Institute.
Beneath the Surface pendant | 18ct yellow gold, Australian blue and parti sapphires.
With a focus on locally sourced Australian sapphires, the pieces from this collection are individually hand made using lost wax casting and fabrication techniques. Each piece is designed to reflect the forms of intracellular machinery involved in vesicle trafficking and release, whilst simultaneously mirroring the ocean life that has allowed their visualisation
Emerging ring | Sterling silver, Australian sapphires.
Cerulean Odyssey, 40 x 20 x 20cm, sterling silver, topaz, Australian blue sapphires, blue sapphires, white sapphires, gold vermeil, patina, 2015
