Jewellery from another universe at Toi Pōneke

NEWS RELEASE
7 November 2013

Jewellery from another universe at Toi Pōneke

Moniek Schrijer’s M.V.Subterranean Universe, which runs from 15 November until 7 December at Toi Pōneke Gallery, pushes jewellery into an intoxicating new realm.

The Whitireia New Zealand – Toi Pōneke Artist-in-Residence’s work has a strong focus on experimentation and process, intuitively transforming materials – and carefully selected remnants from contemporary culture – into bold, unique, masterfully crafted work.

“Making bold jewellery just comes naturally,” says Schrijer. “It’s the materials I love working with. A lot of it I’ve found and collected over the years.”

This exhibition also features a new element to her practice where she has combined jewellery with traditional print-making – printing etched metal and carved wood before it is further composed into adornment.

“Print making has certainly opened up new ideas and connections that I’d like to take further. For print-making you have to make a plate, which is etched, so I thought that’s interesting if you merge it with jewellery.”

Schrijer was selected as this year’s recipient of Whitireia New Zealand – Toi Pōneke’s Artist-in-Residence, after she completed a Degree in Contemporary Jewellery at Whitireia New Zealand in 2012. As the Artist-in-Residence she received her own rent free studio and the chance to hold an end of year exhibition of her work.

“It’s been pretty full-on. I’ve treated it like a nine to five job, like a real job, which I wanted it to be.”
During her year at Toi Pōneke, The Dowse Art Museum bought two of Schrijer’s works for its permanent collection and she represented New Zealand at an international contemporary jewellery exhibition in the Netherlands.
The annual Marzee Selection of Graduate Work Jewellery Exhibition showcases graduate works from international academies and colleges. Over twenty countries were represented at this year's exhibition, Moniek Schrijer was the only New Zealand exhibitor.

M.V.Subterranean Universe runs from 15 November until 7 December at Toi Pōneke Gallery, 61 Abel Smith Street, Wellington.

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