Carlier Makigawa is one of Australia’s foremost contemporary metalsmiths. She has returned to Perth, her birthplace, to participate in a joint residency between The Church Gallery and Curtin University. Complementing her solo exhibition will be a group exhibition of superbly crafted contemporary jewellery from Melbourne’s Gallery Funaki.

The majority of Carlier’s works in this exhibition are wearable, in the form of rings, bangles and pins that have a sculptural and architectural presence. Their forms are inspired by nature, seed pods and buds, symbols of life and energy. As the title Catch the moment implies, the work is most importantly about time and place, about significant moments. As Carlier noted, “jewellery is often a signifier of a special time, given to mark that moment between two people, the preciousness is not the material value, but the moment that it signifies.” The works have external linear structures that define spaces, creating volume with line. These empty spaces are charged with energy. Caught within some of these elegant structures are fragments; an oak leaf, a flower, or a coloured bud that symbolise this inner energy and precious moments.

The three sculptures in this exhibition by Carlier are a much larger translation of these moments and become objects that, rather than being contained by and move with the wearer, the person instead interacts and moves around the object. Whilst the jewellery is constructed from sterling silver and monel, the sculptures are made from stainless steel.

Carlier was born in Perth and studied at WAIT (now Curtin University). She now resides in Melbourne and, after doing her Masters there, taught at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University for many years until becoming course co-ordinator in 1998. This will be her 25th solo exhibition. Carlier’s work can be found in many major pubic collections around Australia and also in the Kyoto Museum of Modern Art in Japan, the Smithsonian Institute in New York and the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts.

Also on display in the gallery during Carlier’s exhibition will be an exhibition of jewellery by Melbourne’s Gallery Funaki. Gallery Funaki is well known for showcasing unique contemporary jewellery by Australian and international jewellers. Artists are chosen for their innovative ideas, use of diverse materials and fine craftsmanship. Coming to Perth is jewellery by 6 outstanding artists: Mari Funaki, owner of Gallery Funaki, Nel Linssen, Mascha Moje, Sally Marsland, Simon Cottrell and Marian Hosking. Thanks to sponsorship from Craftwest, Mari was in Perth for the opening of this exhibition.

*prices valid 2003