Simone Walsh
jewellery & object artist

Box of Secrets photograph.

Jewellery & object design

I have been handmaking a diverse array of jewellery and art objects for over 15 years.

Much of my current range of production work reflects an obsession with the combination of culture and nature in art and design, and in particular how this is reflected in different cultures. I also generally have a love of pattern and ornament which I enjoy exploring in my work.

My jewellery range is made using a variety of metalwork techniques, including often very detailed sawpiercing, etching, repousse, casting and more.

These days I rarely aim for perfection in my jewellery, instead preferring for people to be able to see at least a little bit evidence of my having worked on it - with the hope that this will be something they treasure. It also perhaps shows some influence from the Japanese concept of wabi sabi, in which imperfection is seen as one of the highest forms of beauty.

Along with the wearable jewellery I sell, I also create a diverse array of exhibition pieces when I have the opportunity. This work is more conceptual in nature and has ranged from a stainless steel mesh dress, to a cast glass shoe, to an anodised aluminium bra, to a choker made of tracing paper ... and lots more.

Little Black Dress photograph.

Some of this work explores ideas such as sentimentality and notions of possession, the relationship of ornament and the body, the relationship between nature and culture - and more.

I have created artworks in a variety of metals, both precious and non-precious, and have used a variety other materials such as textiles, paper, glass, wood and gemstones.

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Other work

I work as a web and graphic designer. My primary role is as Website & Publications Manager for St James Ethics Centre. I also undertake some freelance work in this field.

Up until recently I was the editor of the Jewellers & Metalsmiths Group of Australia - NSW’s quarterly newsletter, having undertaken the role for four years. However, I’m still JMGA-NSW’s website co-ordinator and a Committee member.

(yep, I’m busy!)

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Jewellery & metal education

Things my grandmother never told me photograph.
  • Sydney College of the Arts – University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
    Bachelor of Visual Arts, Jewellery & Object Design major - graduated in 2000
  • North Adelaide School of Art – TAFE (Technical & Further Education), Adelaide, Australia
    Advanced Diploma of Applied & Visual art, Jewellery major - deferred half way through in 1995 to travel
  • Onkaparinga Institute of TAFE (Technical & Further Education), Adelaide, Australia
    Certificate in Applied & Visual Art, Jewellery major - completed in 1994, Most Outstanding Jewellery Student of 1994

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Exhibitions

Locket series photograph.
  • Expeditions, Metalab, Sydney. Inaugural annual awarded exhibition of work by customers of A&E Metal Merchants – November 2006
  • Takeaway, Gaffa Gallery, Sydney. Annual Christmas selling exhibition of work by members of JMGA-NSW – November 2006
  • Out of Site, Pyrmont Studios Gallery. Final JMGA-NSW members' exhibition to be held at Pyrmont Studios, part of the on Location: making stories conference – January 2006
  • Confluence, Pyrmont Studios Gallery, Sydney. Exhibition of invited ex-Pyrmont Studios tenants and JMGA-NSW Co-ordinating Committee members – October 2005
  • Vessel: mode of containment, Pyrmont Studios Gallery, Sydney. JMGA-NSW members’ exhibition, Pyrmont Studios Gallery – August 2005
  • Utility in Touch, Sydney College of the Arts. Annual curated group exhibition, in 2005 featuring invited SCA Alumni members alongside selected current students – July 2005
  • Contemporary Wearables, award and exhibition at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery – September 2003
    • The hand that feeds photograph.
  • Skygarden Art Prize, exhibition held by Skygarden, Sydney – June-July 2001 (winner of three dimensional category)
  • Contemporary Wearables, award and exhibition at Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery. Toured to Object Gallery (Centre for Contemporary Craft) in Sydney amongst other locations in Australia throughout 2000 – September 1999
  • Graduate Exhibition, Sydney College of the Arts – December 1999
  • Utility?, Sydney College of the Arts Gallery. Annual curated group exhibition featuring Sydney College of the Arts students from all disciplines – September 1999
  • Sentimental, display of sentimental objects at Sydney College of the Arts curated by Simone Walsh – April 1999
  • Arterial, PCL Exhibitionists, Sydney. Group exhibition with Sydney College of the Arts students – 1998
  • The Tea Party, Urban Cow Studios, Adelaide. Group exhibition with Adelaide artists – 1995

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