Eric Powell 'Quinquagenary'

Quinquagenary, a tribute to fifty years

Sculpture, September 11 - October 31, 2010

                             click here to view sculptures in the show

Julia Turner: Notation

above brooch: Notation, red enamel, wood, paint, steel

Our current show "Notation" JULIA TURNER features a new body of work focusing on Julia's jewelry and new wall pieces. The work is reminiscent of architectural landscapes and blurred images that reminded me of cityscapes, textiles, and scattered flying birds. The work is black and white accented with a vibrant red; enamel, wood, glass, and red sapphires. Displayed on a cool gray table top in a considered fashion, the show invites you to view from a quiet place and ponder the imagery.

The media is industrial white paint on patinated steel scratched away to form markings and later leaving abstract narrative impressions. As always, Julia's detailing of the work is thoughtful and her execution precise. Each piece is artfully thought out and even the backside including her clasps and attachments, is dealt with with the same kind of precision and care for detail.

above: Julia Turner informal talk at Shibumi / ring: Red Stack Ring, wood, paint, steel

In 2004 Julia and I were exhibiting together at Collect which was hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum. While walking around the Museum she shared her idea to scratch through white opaque surfaces. Now in this body of work the idea is fully realized. When Julia spoke at Shibumi I mentioned this and she laughed when recalling the unfolding of this process.

Her process in making the pieces involves starting with a large sheet of steel, and scraping shapes and lines according to a feeling connected to the motion, rather than directly composing imagery. She then later scans the sheet for smaller sections which she extracts specifically for their impact when they are viewed within a small boundary. As a jeweler myself it is interesting that she has come up with these techniques to undermine her temptation to scrutinize and perfect everything.

Julia Turner center with wall piece details

Julia Turner's work integrates a painterly quality which is one of the reasons why her pieces are so sought after by collectors. The fact she is transitioning into larger works that forgo the function of wearability seems like a natural progression. Her wall pieces, also on painted on steel, debut at this show.

above brooch: Lookout, steel, wood, 18k gold

Along with the steel painted work Julia shows the wooden stacks with heavy sanding marks. Simple forms become dimensional landscapes and intentional compositional piles. The show is up through June 27th and we continue to show and represent her work year long. To see more of the work along with Julia's wall pieces please visit Shibumi Gallery or inquire for additional show images.

An additional article on the Art Jewelry Forum blog by the artist can be seen here.

above necklace: Black Pile, wood, paint, steel, gray string

above brooch: Satellite, red sapphires, wood, paint, steel, silver

above brooch: Ikat, wood, paint, steel, 18k gold

above pendant: Border, wood, paint, steel

above brooch: Red Fields, wood, paint, steel

above brooch: You Are Here, wood, paint, steel

above brooch: Stripes, wood, paint, steel

above brooch: Break, wood, paint, steel

above necklace: Red Light Strand, faceted glass, wood, paint, steel

above earrings: Storm, paint, steel, 18ky gold / Julia Turner partial show detail

Tina Rath / Jewelry Show

Our current show, Tina Rath / Jewelry has been extended through March 28, 2010.

Tina is currently working on a large scale project Wanderlux: phase I, which premiered at the Institute for Contemporary Art in Portland, Maine in November 2009. And the grand finale: Waderlux: phase II will show with Sienna Gallery at SOFA NY in 2010. It will contain jewelry objects amongst the installation both in view and found in secret drawers.

above: Wanderlux I, Institute for Contemporary Art in Portland, Maine

As long as I've known Tina her projects always come from a personal space. Her work challenges and expands the context of jewelry. This is reflected in the individual pieces as well as the unique contexts she creates to view them in. In Wanderlux she explores finding home, being strongly drawn to nature and being present in the moment. Tina has returned to California through a teaching sabbatical from Maine College of Art, to work on this intensive project. Her love for the outdoors and the beautiful forms of lichen, mushrooms and vastness of nature have enriched her life and play a central role in her current work. 

Shibumi Gallery is currently is featuring her her most wearable and elegant jewelry which is directly influenced by Wanderlux. Similar in feel from the larger scale project, the collector can buy a single brooch or wear them in multiples.

above: Floral Scatterpin, oxidized silver

                                  The forms are made of all natural materials; wood, ivory, fur, antler, gold, quartz and cognac diamonds. 

above: African Blackwood Earrings with Gold Dots, Mushroom Cluster Scatterpins

above: Antler/Mineral brooches, mule deer antler, sterling silver, mink

above: Antler Rossette Brooches with Cognac Diamond and Antler Rosette Brooch with 18ky Dots, Long Fringe Earrings, 18kyg

You can see a brief write up of the show on the Art Jewelry Forum website or better yet come see more of the work in person at Shibumi.

Shibumi Gallery Featured in American Craft Dec / Jan Issue

                             April Higashi in Shibumi Gallery / photo credit ~ Jaymie Scott

Look for us in the current issue of American Craft Magazine in the Zoom section. I'll post a link if they put it online. As of yet you'll just have to go crack a magazine, the old fashioned way. It's a nice two page spread.

San Francisco Chronicle Article: West Berkeley- Fourth Street

I got written up in the Sunday SF Chronicle last week. A story on a few West Berkeley Artisans. There is a little surprise announcement at the end of my article. Read it and see.