For the Auckland edition of the fifth HANDSHAKE series, HANDSHAKE 5: in site brings together ten jewellers from across Aotearoa for an exhibition that explores the potential of jewellery in large-scale spaces. While jewellers commonly dress the body as an intimate, typically small-scale process, for this exhibition the artists work with the dynamic architectural spaces of Te Uru’s purpose-built gallery as a springboard for ideas – testing the spatial qualities of jewellery; how it interacts within its own surroundings, affects our movements through a room and involves us in contemporary dialogue.
HANDSHAKE was initiated in 2011 by artist, teacher and curator Peter Deckers as a project where emerging jewellers were given the opportunity to work alongside established practitioners for the development of ideas, techniques and exhibitions, facilitating the passing of knowledge, from one to another – mentor to mentee.
After four previous iterations, HANDSHAKE 5 gathers artists from each past HANDSHAKE project for a showcase that is independent of mentors; no longer emerging, these are now established artists. With materials spanning wood, metal, found object, video projection and virtual reality, HANDSHAKE 5: in site presents the culmination of almost ten years of learning through the HANDSHAKE programme, which has provided a platform for individual growth and a broader experience of cultural and artistic exchange.
HANDSHAKE 5: in site features artists Vivien Atkinson, Becky Bliss, Nadene Carr, Nik Hanton, Kelly McDonald, Neke Moa, Brendon Monson, Sandra Schmid, Caroline Thomas and Sarah Walker-Holt and is curated by James Anderson.
HANDSHAKE 5 appreciates generous support from HANDSHAKE founder, Peter Deckers, online coach, Roseanne Bartley, studio visit coach, Sian van Dyk, technical support coach, Vernon Bowden, as well as continued funding from Creative New Zealand and support from Makers 101.
Join us on Saturday 7 December, 3pm for HANDSHAKE 5: Artists’ Walk and Talk ahead of the official opening event from 4pm.
www.handshakeproject.com
Image: Vivien Atkinson, Reminding Myself to Remember, 2019. Photo by Harry Culy