PERSONAL SPACE PROJECT is an online gallery documenting a private gallery that exists in the real world.
Online 24 hours or in real life by appointment. Located in Canberra, Australia in the bedroom of jeweller Zoe Brand.
Online 24 hours or in real life by appointment. Located in Canberra, Australia in the bedroom of jeweller Zoe Brand.
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WELCOME
it’s amazing how much other work you can get done when you have an essay to write and a deadline to meet. On one such occasion a few months ago I decided to postpone writing my essay, I wasn’t getting anywhere on Modernism in Australia anyway, and with a bit of productive procrastination I started planning a gallery. For me, being a contemporary art jeweller means that not only do I make objects but I also deal in ideas and this project at its very basic level is a gallery that hopes to explore this further. It also happens to be located in my bedroom. I wanted a space that was about the ideas, not the need to sell the work, or to play it safe. I wanted to be able to call the shots, exhibit artists who were doing interesting work and projects, and who didn't perhaps always fit in the normal gallery/shop realm. I have chosen to locate it in a personal space, a place where you would normally store your jewellery after it is purchased and when it is not being worn. It seemed to me then that a bedroom, my bedroom was a perfectly sensible place to house such a gallery. Jewellery is a part of dress, a part of who we are and how we present ourselves to the world. It is also a part of how people read our appearance even before we have spoken a word. The reality that jewellery is superfluous to the body, and requires the conscious decision of the wearer to put it on and wear out, is precisely the very thing that makes it such an interesting and exciting idea to investigate. Contemporary art jewellery has a bit of a hard time being understood by the general public, not to mention artists, designers, and even jewellers might not always comprehend what we do. Perhaps this is because jewellery is one of those things that everyone inherently understands and they cling to their preconceived notions of it like a life raft. |
People know how it works, where to put it, where to buy it, when to wear it, and when to give it. They also know why they wear it, although undoubtedly this could be understood on a sliding scale or conscious and subconscious actions. Contemporary art jewellery pushes the boundaries of these constructs. It can ask challenging questions of its viewers, often requires boldness of its wearers, and sometimes disregards the body altogether. I make artwork that exploits common conceptions about traditional jewellery. I offer up humorous comments in the form of jewellery, small scale artworks and occasionally the odd participatory project or performance. I want to make you think about why it is that you wear, give or desire jewellery. I want to make you think about everyday materials and how they have the ability to tell stories of their own. I also want to make you question how you view the world. Perhaps, after this experience you might find a renewed glint in your eye, a smile on your face and a beer in your hand, because sometimes life shouldn’t be so serious. This idea has been swimming around in my head for a number of years and I'm so thrilled that it now exists in the real world. Over the next few months I will exhibit contemporary art jewellers and artists who deal in ideas and manifest their way of viewing the world into refreshing, remarkable and often witty, objects, art works and projects. I hope it gives you something just a bit different to ponder at night before you drift off to sleep. That it might delight or excite you as much as it does me in bringing you this project. - Zoe Brand |