alchemy:
* noun. A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the preparation of the elixir of longevity.
* figurative. A process by which paradoxical results are achieved or incompatible elements combined with no obvious rational explanation : his conducting managed by some alchemy to give a sense of fire and ice.
* A seemingly magical power or process of transmutation and transformation.
Alchemy is a collaborative exhibition by Kate Alterio, contemporary jeweller, and Claire Beynon, visual artist, the expression of an interdisciplinary conversation that has taken shape over time and distance, and that draws together a range of artistic media.
Integral to Alchemy has been a co-mentoring process. Kate and Claire have combined the conceptual approaches and technical skills relevant to their independent disciplines, each enabling the other to step outside their usual areas of expertise and into a world of new possibilities. Kate has taught Claire jewellery and metalworking techniques; Claire has introduced Kate to drawing, painting, and related mark-marking skills. This co-mentoring aspect adds a unique dimension to this exhibition. Both artists have taken on the challenge of working in new media, with an eye on creative, technical and personal transformation.
Another unique element in this show is that the artists have co-created several of the works. Their collaborative pieces (limited editions of framed wearable jewellery and a series of inter-disciplinary, mixed media 2D works) complement and sit alongside their individual contributions (jewellery, wall installations, 3D sculptural works, drawings and paintings). Their solo voices emerge through their individual works, and their collaborative voice through combined pieces that carry both their signatures.
Claire and Kate believe that by sharing ideas and resources and crossing the parameters of their various disciplines, everyone benefits. Boundaries - many of them imaginary - are broken down, reinforcing the common ground between us.
Alchemy is presented as a journey that begins with individual pieces, moves through to collaborative works and ultimately arrives at a place where the boundaries between who made what merge. By laying out their process in this way, Kate and Claire hope to challenge traditional views of attachment and ownership and promote the idea that creative partnerships contain strong elements of gifting.
Leap and a net will appear.
CLAIRE'S WORK
Return
Charcoal & pastel on paper
2009
340 x 230 MM (image size: v x h)
500 x 500 MM (framed size: v x h)
Reunion
Charcoal and pastel on paper
2009
340 x 270MM (image size: v x h)
500 x 500MM (framed size: v x h)
Vigil
Charcoal and pastel on paper
2009
250 x 760MM (image size: v x h)
450 x 1000MM (framed size: v x h)
Constellation I
Oil and liquin on paper
2009
240MM image diameter
500 x 500MM (framed size: v s h)
Constellation II
Oil and liquin on paper
2009
240MM image diameter
500 x 500MM (framed size: v x h)
Lasting conversations
Charcoal and pastel on paper
2009
760 x 250MM (image size: v x h)
1000 x 450MM (framed size: v x h)
Process: four Portal pendant paintings with After all this time, square slide brooch
After All This Time
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, paper, oils & chinagraph pencil
50 x 50 x 4MM (l x b x d)
Walk
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, paper, oils & chinagraph pencil
50 x 50 x 4MM (l x b x d)
Wilderness place
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, paper, oils & chinagraph pencil
50 x 50 x 4MM (l x b x d)
Wanderlust
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, paper, oils & chinagraph pencil
50 x 50 x 4MM (length x breadth x depth)
Small Journeys I, II, III & IV
Vertical slide brooches
2009
Sterling silver, laboratory glass, paper, oils, squid ink, balsa wood & china graph pencil
38 x 12.5 x 4MM (length x breadth x depth)
All finite Things Reveal Infinitude I
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, squid ink, balsa wood & paper
12.5 x 38 x 4MM (length x breadth x depth)
All Finite Things Reveal Infinitude II
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, oils, balsa wood & paper
125 x 380 x 4MM (l x b x d)
All Finite Things Reveal Infinitude III
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, oils, balsa wood & paper
125 x 380 x 4MM (l x b x d)
All Finite Things Reveal Infinitude IV
Brooch painting
2009
Sterling silver, glass, oils, balsa wood & paper
125 x 380 x 4MM (l x b x d)
Portals I, II, II & IV
Pendant paintings
2009
Sterling silver, laboratory glass, balsa wood, oils & traditional Maori braiding
Open Window, Stepping Out, Blue Heaven, Companion Piece
Pendant paintings
2009
Sterling silver, glass, oils, chinagraph pencil, paper & rubber
50 x 50 x 4MM (length x breadth x depth – framed paintings)
COLLABORATIVE PIECES
All Things Pass
Framed pair of Brooches
2009
Sterling silver, seeds.
Full Bloom
Brooch
2009
Sterling silver
New Potential
Brooch
2009
Sterling silver, seeds
The End We Like To Say Is Also The Beginning
Wall piece
2009
Lotus seeds, sterling silver, cotton thread.
Full Circle I
Necklace
2009
Lotus seeds, 9ct Gold, Sterling silver, fine silver, cotton thread.
Full Circle II
Necklace
2009
Lotus seeds, 9ct gold, sterling silver, fine silver & cotton thread.
Hand in Hand
2009
Charcoal & conte on paper
775 X 750MM (framed size: v x h)
Within Unity is Diversity
2009
Indian ink, charcoal, acrylic & bitumen on paper
915 X 790MM (framed size: v x h)
KATE'S WORK
The Return
Brooch
28mm x 30mm
2009
Sterling silver, 24ct gold.
A New Dawn (detail)
Wall installation
250mm diameter (each piece) 2 pieces in total.
2009
Stainless Steel, Custom wood, Bitumen, Acrylic.
Warm thanks to Vince Moug, Alan Rennie, Matt Stechmann, Luke O'Connell, Dorthe Kristensen, Graham Burgess, Alan Stocker, David McLeod, Jenny Duff, Amelia Pascoe, James Watson, Katie Hecker, Sandy Booth, Paul Craig, Olaf Wehr-Candler, Liz Johns, Paul Orr, Tomas van Ammers, Ewan Duff, Pete Halliday, Lesley Winter and Ron O'kane for their support, generosity, patience, good humour and technical ingenuity... Within unity is diversity!
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To Harold Klug, who opened my eyes and let the light in (Kate)