Exhibition of New Work by Yuko Fujita at e.g.etal.

The neckpiece on the left is titled “Lost World”. Materials: bowls, spoon handle, bookend, 18ct gold, shell, 925 silver, silk code, paint. It represents a lost environment (habitat) where all life existed harmoniously and dynamically. The neckpiece on the right is title “Memory Reading”. Materials: found wooden clog, wooden spoons, 925 silver, paint. It refers to an extinct creature and its rich and various experience memories that we can no longer share.

Melbourne jeweller, Yuko Fujita, has transformed recycled objects into bold pieces of jewellery for her upcoming exhibition titled Kodama (return to me) to be held at e.g.etal, a seriously fabulous contemporary jewellery gallery and retail space in Melbourne.

Fujita gives distinctly domestic and ordinary origins a new chance to shine, while consciously reflecting on the many lives they may have had since beginning as a tree. Careful not to erase the memory of previous incarnations, Fujita has carved and chiselled each object by hand.

Responding to an inaudible echo of the forest (Kodama), Fujita’s pieces recall imaginary plants, creatures or endangered habitats. This uplifting collection of jewellery resonates with ancient themes and traditional materials while producing work that is powerfully contemporary.

Yuko Fujita is producing an exhibition of work based on wooden items she has found in op shops (bowls, spoons, clogs, etc) to make amazing pieces of jewellery. The title, ‘Kodama’, has two meanings – echo or spirit of a tree. When Yuko talks about the pieces she talks about each piece containing an echo from the tree that once was.

Her exhibition will tie in with the State of Design Festival – Look.Stop.Shop program. This year the theme is “Change by Design”.

Dates: July 14 – 31 at e.g.etal, 167 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Opening night: Thursday 15 July (subscribe to the mailing list to receive an invite by clicking here)
Exhibition design: Katherine Bowman.

.

Neckpiece title “Lost World”. Details as per above.

And just in case you need further incentive to visit e.g.etal, here are just a few of my favourite pieces from their collections. I can’t wait for my upcoming trip to Melbourne where e.g.etal is always a regular stop for me.

Stud Earrings by Daehoon Kang. Hand dyed plastic, sterling silver. I am so getting a pair of these!

‘Tinkering With Nature’ Brooches by Vicki Mason. Powdercoated brass, PVC, thread.

‘Hybrid Cluster’ Brooches by Vicki Mason. Sterling silver, PVC, thread. Gorgeous, no?

Wisteria Earrings by Yuko Fujita. 18ct yellow gold, oxidised sterling silver.

Twist Bangles by Nicky Hepburn. Sterling silver and 9ct Gold.

Coil Rings by Anna Davern. 18ct yellow and rose gold, sterling silver. Those of you who know me will recognise that this is a ring I’ve worn every single day for the past five years. Courtesy of that awesome Husband of mine.