NEO Cuts
Melanie Katsalidis, NEO Cuts, 2017, 100x80mm, Sapphire, ametrine, aquamarine, tourmaline.
Photo: Andrew Bachram |
Map reference number: 36
Pieces of Eight
28 Russell Place, Melbourne 31 August – 30 September
Fri–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm Opening: Thu 31 August, 6–8pm
Artist/s: Melanie Katsalidis
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Since the origin of lapidary during the Stone Age, about one million years ago, the skill of the gem cutter has become highly evolved but also limited. Rough minerals are cut into finely faceted gems, most of which are standard shapes to meet market demands. But what happens when you are free of these conventions? What if you let the rough speak and don't try to make it conform to these pressures?
In NEO Cuts, Katsalidis explores the case for breaking the rules in lapidary. Traveling to the Central Queensland sapphire gem fields, Lightning Ridge in New South Wales for black opal and international locations for other fine gems, she has sourced rough to custom cut and found unusual cuts to set into a collection of one-off jewellery. These pieces offer a new appreciation of the creative potential of lapidary with fresh cuts and unique possibilities.
In NEO Cuts, Katsalidis explores the case for breaking the rules in lapidary. Traveling to the Central Queensland sapphire gem fields, Lightning Ridge in New South Wales for black opal and international locations for other fine gems, she has sourced rough to custom cut and found unusual cuts to set into a collection of one-off jewellery. These pieces offer a new appreciation of the creative potential of lapidary with fresh cuts and unique possibilities.
a. Melanie Katsalidis, Custom Cut Watermelon Tourmaline, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
b. Melanie Katsalidis, Custom Cut Ametrine, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
c. Melanie Katsalidis, Australian Zircon and Parti Sapphire Rings, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
d. Melanie Katsalidis, Pink and Green Tourmaline Balance Pendant, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
e. Melanie Katsalidis, Bi-coloured Amethyst Frame Earrings, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
f. Melanie Katsalidis, Bi-coloured Citrine Frame Earrings, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
b. Melanie Katsalidis, Custom Cut Ametrine, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
c. Melanie Katsalidis, Australian Zircon and Parti Sapphire Rings, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
d. Melanie Katsalidis, Pink and Green Tourmaline Balance Pendant, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
e. Melanie Katsalidis, Bi-coloured Amethyst Frame Earrings, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
f. Melanie Katsalidis, Bi-coloured Citrine Frame Earrings, 2017. Photo: Andrew Bachram
About the Artist
Melanie Katsalidis is the director and founder of Pieces of Eight which she established in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Melbourne University (2000) and Bachelor of Fine Arts, Gold and Silversmithing, RMIT University (2003). Her work is held in many private collections and is often commission based. She has exhibited widely, and in 2014 collaborated with Melbourne fashion label Alpha60 on an exhibition using Australian opals which culminated in an exhibition entitled UPALA, and in 2016 collaborated with New York based sculptor Phillip Low on CHROMA.
Melanie Katsalidis is the director and founder of Pieces of Eight which she established in 2005. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Melbourne University (2000) and Bachelor of Fine Arts, Gold and Silversmithing, RMIT University (2003). Her work is held in many private collections and is often commission based. She has exhibited widely, and in 2014 collaborated with Melbourne fashion label Alpha60 on an exhibition using Australian opals which culminated in an exhibition entitled UPALA, and in 2016 collaborated with New York based sculptor Phillip Low on CHROMA.
