Ocelot Clothing + Gabriel Russo Event

Our weekend show featured Ocelot Clothing's Fall Collection, designer Angelina De Antonis (below-right) along with Menswear Designer, Gabrielle Russo (below-left) premiering his new collection at Shibumi. What an honor to feature such talented designers. The two of them complimented each other so well.

We currently still have a great selection of Ocelot and will have Gabriel's work back for the holidays. Fyi- Ocelot has a special $150 rack with some great pieces on it!
 

The event was very successful and Trumer Beer donated a nice selection of local beer.
I love our clients: stylish, tasteful, supportive, artful.

Angelina tying a wrap skirt on client & friend Tara Rech. The new collage tops are truly wearable paintings.

Below the silk shrug with client Teresa's own jeans and Ocelot top. She made me her Ocelot sponsor to keep her from buying no more than 1 piece, but she walked away with 5... what was she thinking, asking me? Well, they all looked fabulous on her, what could I say?

Since the show Gabriel has attracted the attention of Fred Segal's in LA.

Gabriel's wool gabardine shirts have Japanese pocket hand-detailing. The pockets are made from vintage suiting and sometimes antique Japanese textiles. The detailing is subtle, perfect for the man that wants a little style but doesn't want to stand out too much. Or for a gift from the woman that wants to get her man something tasteful and special he'll actually wear.

Perfect for Fall... handsome felted wool coats with hand stitching & button hole detailing.

Gabriel had a sample vest that he is working on to unveil next... Stay tuned or please inquire about seeing more of his work!

Upcoming Events // On the Horizon

August 2009

SF ACC SHOW / April Higashi Jewelery

Fort Mason, San Francisco
Booth #610
August 14, 15, 16 2009

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September 2009
Ocelot Clothing Fall Weekend Show
also featuring Menswear / Textile Designer Gabriel Russo
Weekend of 9/12th & 13th.

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October 2009

SHIBUSA \ shi-’bu-sa \ n. this aesthetic includes an openness to nature
& an appreciation of the irregularities of form.
Opening Date 10.03.09

Cathy Liu / Paintings

Karen Gilbert / Jewelry
 

Taylor Vogland Dreling / Sculptures
 

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November 2009
Tina Rath / Jewelry
Introduction & artist reception
Saturday 11.07.09

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May 2010
Julia Turner / Jewelry
Dates to be announced

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Something About Love: A Three Part Affair

Tina Rath/Black Beauty: Brooch 7

Pink ivory wood, fox, 18k gold

Our current show, Something About Love, opened one week before the infamous Valentine's Day. We hope that the show created a more complex and inclusive experience than the holiday we are all subjected to every year on the 14th of February. Because love is for everyone and about everyone the show was our attempt at shaking off the old cliche in order to examine and celebrate the multitude of emotions, relationships, and experiences that fall under that one simple word. If you havn't had a chance to come by, we will be holding a closing reception Sunday March 22 from 12-5. A big thanks to the folks at B Restaurant and Bar in Oakland's Historic District for providing the delicious nibbles at the opening reception.
The show views the concept of love through 3 lenses.

1. The photographic lense of Bay Area artist, Ace Lehner. Ace an accomplished photographer and is currently an MFA Candidate at The California College of the Arts.

Ace Lehner. With an eye for the slightly strange and a background in painting and illustration Lehner uses photography as a tool to re-draw the way we see the world around us. Lehner has produced intervention work and exhibitions internationally including London, New York and Montreal. Currently Lehner is pursuing projects that deal with issues of the power of vision in relation to love and desire, the reconfiguration of family and the emotional impact of deportation.

2. In conjunction with these photographic images, exhibition organizer Anna Adair considers her own practice as a jeweler and thus her role as a maker of objects that symbolize love. Inviting other Jeweler’s to do the same, the show features work by Curtis Arima, Sarah Davis, Nick Dong, Karen Gilbert, April Higashi, Maya Kini, Chris Neff, Jaydan Moore and Tina Rath.
 

Curtis Arima / Untitled A gardener negotiates the definition of a weed. One can pull out plants prematurely without knowing what they have to offer, or neglect branches allowing plants to become promiscuously overgrown. We often disregard ideas before they grow, plucking them out, rather than transplanting them into otherpaths in our unconscious, later to emerge when they are mature. Dandelions are full of potential to prosper. This piece is dedicated to my dearest Joe as a memento of our many years to come, hope for prosperous times and our love for gardening.Sterling silver, 18k gold
April Higashi / Untitled When I was young, just old enough to start being interested in boys, I heard a poetic line in a story. "As a couple sleeps, the threads of their lives intertwine." I always have thought about that image. As I have matured, I see these threads as both metaphorical and energetic, enhanced and strengthenedwith historic experiences. Like love they are delicate, beautiful and complex, 20k gold and thread

Karen Gilbert / Link Joined together, two things have more depth, beauty and complexity than one alone, Sterling Silver, pyrex, 18k gold

Anna Adair / End of The Line When thinking about love recently, my brother came to mind. The last man to carry our family name, Jeffryes, falling in
love for him holds heavy significance within the traditional patriarchal structure. In making these cufflinks, a pair for each Jeffryes man that has lived within my lifetime, I reflect on ideas of family tradition and societal norms. Each pair pays homage to these men who have meant a great deal to me, while illustrating the restrictions inherent in such a system and thus the importance of allowing for more open ideas about love, family, and relationships., Sterling Silver and enamel.
Maya Kini /Graphite Wedding Bands The graphite rings began as an investigation of the two-sided nature of carbon. I was intrigued by the genetics of the material and how a slight variation could produce a much harder relative - the diamond. Diamonds are so often used to signify durability because they cannot be cut by anything other than themselves. I wanted to pay homage to diamond’s lesser relative by making rings of graphite that literally mark a process of commitment rather than function as lasting jewelry pieces.

3. The third and final portion of the show will display a collection of personal belongings, gathered from Bay Area residents. The objects included will be the result of a request issued prior to the show to “borrow” items that have been given in the name of love.

He began to sew me a love letter but as you can see,
never finished. Needless to say, it didn’t last... Hillary Kantmann

Sandra Enterline gave me these souvenir pendants for my 85th birthday. They contain 85 burnt match heads and one for good luck. I still remember when Sandra gave them to me, she said, “June that’s a lot of cake!”... June Schwarcz

Patrick H. Adair 1922-2000 WW2 Service Medals
Auld Pat, my father’s father
A modest man who would rather
Keep these medals in a drawer
And never boast about the war
But seeing as he’s not here today
I thought I’d put them on display
Ross Adair

The Mix Tape At the end of our first date, Ross gave me this mix tape that he had made for me. I listened to each song hoping to hear clues that would reveal his feelings for me. Ross is a mix tape master... Anna Adair

My grandfather Kenneth Kameo Higashimachi gave this engagement ring to Hisa Claire Morimoto, circa 1926. They were the first generation to break the arranged marriage tradition in their families. Both were Nisei generation, born in Hawaii, him in 1901 and her 1902. My grandfather’s family was from Farmer Class and my grandmother’s was from Samurai Class... April Higashi

Show concept Anna Adair
Co-curated by Anna Adair & April Higashi
Join us for our Closing Reception:

Sunday March 22 from 12-5pm

Karen Gilbert: Trunk Show

Karen Gilbert is one of my favorite working jewelers. By working I simply mean, she supports herself (& actually her family) on selling her jewelry as art. Her work always continues to evolve with great integrity and thoughtfulness.

Last weekend Karen Gilbert brought new work to Shibumi for a trunk show. She is doing some new pieces with mica. When worn they catch the light and refract with the movement of the wearer. They are beautiful. Her combination of materials are earthy, playful and sophisticated. She never seizes to amaze me with her new directions and explorations.

Karen's jewelery is shown at Shibumi Gallery year round. And for the holidays, we have some great prices on her earrings.

" I see my work from two sides. one is the exploration of materials; the other is the content of my ideas. the functional forms in nature and science, put together, are those we find familiar. i see these most primal forms as road maps for everything we think and feel. the smallest can be a visual representation of the larger complexity. what is underneath the surface is what i choose to explore. i try to question ideas about where comfort and beauty are found. the objects i make are my expressions of a new narrative."--- Karen Gilbert

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show

A week or so ago I returned from the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. It is a very nice juried show and I am honored to be amongst such talented artists. The women's committee that run it are terrific and treat the artists so well!

Here is my traveling booth where Anna & I lived for a week. When I was little I had a Japanese doll in a lacquered case. The doll was so precious and lived in my room beside my bed. We modeled the cases off of this idea. Eric, my husband has made anything metal in my display. He is a metal sculptor so this is a favor. The show went very well & I am glad that the Philadelphia community is so supportive of the arts!

Anna Adair, who also works with me at the gallery came along for her first away show. The east coast weather was nice when we did get out. Very crisp & fall was in the air & on the ground!