If you haven’t yet made it down to the Beetles + Huxley gallery on Swallow street to view this fabulous contemporary jewellery exhibition, we highly recommend it!
Expertly curated by Joanna Hardy (diamond guru and ex jewellery Director of Sotheby’s), this exhibition brings together four distinctively talented and brilliant female jewellery designer-makers of today, in a celebration of Contemporary jewellery for women, made by women, leading the way for women in the industry…
Jacqueline Cullen
Central St. Martin’s Graduate, Jacqueline Cullen specialises in Contemporary Jewellery made from Whitby Jet, a unique prehistoric black fossil ca. 180 million years old. Once associated with a Victorian trend for Jet Jewellery, started by Queen Victoria as she went into mourning for Prince Albert, Whitby Jet is now extremely rare.
However, with the help of an abseiler who is prepared to scale the cliff faces of old disused mines and ancient caves, Jacqueline is able to source this incredible material first hand. Using her own innovative processes combined with textured gold and glittering diamond accents, Jacqueline transforms this traditional material with its morbid connotations, into a luxurious material with natural beauty and exquisitely beautiful works of art.
Ornella Iannuzzi
Ornella Iannuzzi is an award-winning, London-based artist jeweller creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Using a wide range of natural and precious materials, Ornella creates complex and sculptural jewels that appear to have occurred naturally.
Working with gemstones but also shells, coral and other natural objects, Ornella combines them with precious metals to make jewellery which is both organic in form and un comprimising in craftsmanship. She demonstrates that a shell, a mineral specimen or a pebble that has been collected and treasured can be transformed into an heirloom that will last for generations to come.
Alice Cicolini
Alice Cicolini, who also graduated from Central St. Martins with a Masters in Jewellery Design, takes her inspiration from the sacred architecture and patterns of the Silk Route, using black to compliment gemstones in her beautifully carved, Indonesian ebony wood necklaces and rings. Alice’s pieces are designed and hand made in India, in the studio of one of the last Jaipuri meenakari trained in the enamel traditions of Persia.
Conversely her new collection, Memphis, is inspired by Ettore Sottsass’s famous design movement during the 20th century, and the pieces create the perfect opportunity to explore wearing colour to either brighten up your existing rings, or to be worn collectively creating a bold and fun statement.
Gurmit Campbell
Gurmit Campbell, ex model, sculptor, artist and muse, returns to the jewellery scene after a sabbatical, with a unique collection that celebrates everything sensual and elegant in womanhood. All the elements of her fascinating story of escape from Pakistan, love, passion, travel, fame and fortune as a Super model are all embedded in the powerful simplicity and sophistication of her pieces.
Beautifully made in 18carat gold and semi-precious stones, Gurmit’s pieces exude a great sense of movement that flows with and compliments the female form. Her fresh approach and her unconventional pieces have earned her rightful place in this exhibition.
Beetle + Huxley Gallery
3-5 Swallow Street
London, W1B 4DE
