Essemgé at ACJ Meanings & Messages
For its 25th anniversary, the ACJ (‘Association for Contemporary Jewellery‘) is organising a major touring exhibition titled ‘Meanings & Messages‘. It will be showcasing 60 unique brooches, each offering its own interpretation of the theme.
I am delighted to announce that the selection panel has supported Essemgé’s entry for the show.
When ACJ launched the call for the event, I knew I had to apply. Brooches are a designer’s delight to create something truly special and exciting. They offer scope to tell a story, make a point or just be fun and playful.
The way I have interpreted the brief is both personal and universal.
I live in a very built-up area of South East London. Industrial estates, with their large warehouses, have shaped the urban landscape.
In that sea of monochrome man-made architecture, I sometimes feel that nature has been sacrificed to human needs and wants. Each day, green spaces are disappearing and construction work takes over.
However, appearances can be deceptive. It is fascinating to see how the most drab-looking wall becomes poetic because some exuberant untamed green shoot has stubbornly found its way through the crevasses, and blossomed. This is what the ‘City Garden’ brooch represents.
I created the ‘City Garden’ brooch especially for the occasion, using mixed media and recycled industrial materials, in keeping with the meanings and messages conveyed.
Pencil your diaries
The Opening Day is Saturday 30th April at St Georges Arts Centre – Gravesham Borough Council. The exhibition will tour the following venues:
- St Georges Arts Centre – Gravesham Borough Council – in partnership with LV21 – 30 April – 29 May 2022
- Exeter University – Conference Pop Up exhibition – 1 – 3 July 2022
- Vittoria Street Gallery – Birmingham School of Jewellery – 19 September – 28 October 2022
- Mission Gallery in partnership with Swansea College of Art UWTSD – 16 November – 21 December 2022
- The Goldsmiths’ Centre – London – 9 January – 24 February 2023
- New Brewery Arts – Cirencester – 4 April – 18 June 2023
I hope you can make it to one of the venues. Let me know if you can and what you thought of the exhibition. Remember to check back our News page regularly to get our latest update.
