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Arnolfini - est 1961

FERROUS METAL
JEWELLERY
— Despite the difficulties involved in working with iron and steel, several contemporary jewellers find it meets their design requirements and offers new possibilities as well as a challenge. The merits of ferrous metals can be appreciated when used alone or in combination with other metals.

Jewellery by Holly Belsher, Bennie Bronstein, Genneth Davies, Susan Fortune, David Poston, Alison Varley, David Watkins
Plus – Ruth Stourton who is an unexpected, but welcome, eighth exhibitor. Her work is “…a result of drawing and spreading with the aid of fire and the hammer, steel is a metal both delicate and strong.” Although we only have a few examples of her work there will be a chance to see more during August and September.
The strength and delicacy paradox is also evident in other peoples work – Bennie Bronstein’s fine wires, held simply but ingeniously under tension to form curves that encircle the body and David Poston’s well proportioned, tapering curves. David Watkins uses more definite and purposefully sculptural lines as can be seen from his dramatic body piece.
Susan Fortune has concentrated on colouring steel and using it in combination with other metals, whilst Genneth Davies uses combinations of metals with rich texturing to make similar counterbalances which attract and stimulate the inquisitive eye.
Moving from the sculptural to the more decorative – Alison Varley and Holly Belsher put iron and steel into a more precious context with their selection of earings.