Master Makers

Since the 1980s, leading Australian and international Gold and Silversmithing artists have delivered and participated in masterclasses in the RMIT School of Art which has had a profound impact on the training of the craft in Australia.

This major exhibition explores the masterclass legacy, showcasing both recent works of the visiting ‘master makers’ and work produced at the master classes, as well as recording the cultural, artistic and technical shift in contemporary jewellery and object.

Featuring beautiful handmade work, intricate detailing and an incredible array of materials and unusual combinations, MasterMakers is a celebration of skill and devotion.

Featuring artists:

Ruby Aitchison, Helen Aitken-Kuhnen, Robert Baines, Nicholas Bastin, Peter Bauhuis, Dianne Beevers, Doris Betz, Renee Bevan, David Bielander, Julie Blyfield, Zoe Brand, Helen Britton, Sue Buchanan, Melissa Cameron, Bifei Cao, Pamela Chan, Yu Fang Chi, David Clarke, Anna Clynes, Katie Collins, Conversation Piece (Beatrice Brovia & Nicholas Cheng), Anna Davern, Helen Dilkes, Bin Dixon-Ward, Joungmee Do, Mark Edgoose, Sian Edwards, Ian Ferguson, Karl Fritsch, Emi Fukuda, Eli Giannini, Kiko Gianocca, Allona Goren, Rowena Gough, Wayne Guest, Caz Guiney, Marcos Guzman, Mary Hackett, Kirsten Haydon, Peter Hoogeboom, Marian Hosking, Katherine Hubble, Linda Hughes, David Huycke, Naoko Inuzuka, Kazuhiro Itoh, Nicole Jacquard, Tassia Joannides, Cara Johnson, Hermann Jünger, Jiro Kamata, Jung-Hoo Kim, Inari Kiuru, Wendy Korol, Daniel Kruger, Otto Künzli, Andrew Last, Benjamin Lignel, Sue Lorraine, Carlier Makigawa, Stefano Marchetti, Marion Marshall, Chris Massey, Claire McArdle, Kelly McDonald, Lindy McSwan Sam Mertens, Karl Millard, Yutaka Minegishi, Marc Monzó, Shelley Norton, Michaela Pegum, Jana Roman, Lucy Sarneel, Elise Sheehan, Debbie Sheezel, Bettina Speckner, Michelle Stewart, Leah Teschendorff, Elizabeth Turrell, Renée Ugazio, Manon van Kouswijk, Michael Wong and Aurelia Yeomans.

Further details from RMIT Gallery here

(Text: https://rmitgallery.com/exhibitions/3887/)

Tea Caddies

Jana Roman, Four Tea Caddies, 2019, repoussé worked steel Altoids tins 

made for the exhibition Tea & Dumplings, presented for Radiant Pavilion 2019

Jana Roman, Camellia sinensis, 2019, tea caddy, repoussé worked steel Altoids tin, 97x62x30mm (shown open)

Jana Roman, Buddha's Tears, 2019, tea caddy, repoussé worked steel Altoids Smalls tin, 62x41x22mm (shown open)

Jana Roman, Jasminum sambac, 2019, tea caddy, repoussé worked steel Altoids tin, 97x62x31mm (shown open)

Jana Roman, Cherry Blossom Sencha, 2019, tea caddy, repoussé worked steel Altoids smalls tin, 62x41x23mm (shown open)

Tea & Dumplings

Pamela Chan & Jana Roman, Tea & Dumplings, 2019, dimensions variable, ceramic, copper, reclaimed Eucalyptus. 

Photo: Jana Roman

At this one-day popup exhibition the artists invite you to join their ten-year conversation about making by sitting at their table to handle an all-new series of functional vessels and utensils. Highlighting texture and form using metal, timber and ceramics, these handmade individual and collaborative works centre on the functional aspects of consuming Tea and Dumplings. The works are made to fit right in the user’s hand.

Jana Roman and Pamela Chan employ repetitive and meditative methodologies in their making; tools become extensions of their hands through repetitive processes in the forming of objects. The ritual of a shared meal is a reflection of the repetition of making simple functional vessels. Inspired by the natural environment, materials show the passage of time with surfaces marked by the process of making. Beautiful surface imperfections and the feeling of impermanence are expressed by subtle changes of colour and texture.

7 September 2019, 11am-9pm
Testing Grounds1 City Road, Southbank 3006

View the Tea & Dumplings blog here

Architectural Fragment Earrings

2013.105, 2013, Earrings

PUK welded mild steel, sterling silver

each 38 x 21 x 12mm
(limited edition)
[Donated to the RMIT Gold & Silversmithing Jewellery Auction 2018]

For meritorious conduct

Jana Roman, For meritorious conduct, 2017

Sash

Reclaimed denim, reclaimed computer components, cotton

L 3850 x W 170 x D 35mm

Jana Roman, For meritorious conduct, 2017

Sash (detail)

Francis Ormond was the Bill Gates of his time. 

Even in his early days as a sheep station manager Ormond funded evening classes to better the education of his station hands. As Ormond’s pastoral wealth grew so did his philanthropic endeavours, contributing generously to the education, health and spiritual betterment of 19th century Melbourne and the city's future development by funding hospitals, churches, Ormond College at the University of Melbourne and driving the foundation of the Working Men's College that would become RMIT. 

The presentation of an order of merit sash in working persons' blue denim honours Francis Ormond's service to science, art, literature and the promotion of culture and social justice.

Made to dress the Francis Ormond statue, RMIT

for URBAN A-WEAR-NESS

a Radiant Pavilion exhibition presented 2 September 2017

Air-Cooled

Jana Roman, Air-Cooled, 2015

Brooch

PUK welded mild steel, stainless steel, copper

32 x 64 x 16mm

This was my donation to the RMIT Gold & Silversmithing Jewellery Auction 2016.

1:4

Jana Roman, 1:4, 2015

Brooch

PUK welded mild steel, magnet

This was my donation to the RMIT Gold & Silversmithing Jewellery Auction 2015.