Catherine Large

"For as long as I can remember, I have collected rusty steel and iron from my frequent bush and urban walks. Many of these little bits of metal have nearly rusted away, almost disappearing into the earth, while others have maintained their form. I have many of these pieces in my studio awaiting the moment it becomes clear how they might be utilised. This series of pendants are made by working lightly with the objects. I try to keep the form in its original state where possible, working with the objects in a way that means any intervention is reversible. The surgical suture silk is from a few reels that belonged to my father, and that came to me along with some obsolete and unwanted instruments on his retirement about 30 years ago."

Catherine Large is a jeweller and metalsmith in Brisbane. She has a Bachelor of Visual Art from Sydney College of the Arts, and a Masters of Visual Art from Queensland College of Art, Griffith University and makes work informed by observations of the nature of objects. She works with recycled materials, and often uses objects and materials that have had a former life.

Fe2O3-Rust Series, 2021
Fe2O3-Rust I, $325
Steel tin lid, oxidised sterling silver, surgical suture silk
Fe2O3-Rust II, $325
Saw blade portion, oxidised sterling silver, surgical suture silk
Fe2O3-Rust III, $325
Toyota Corolla brake line, oxidised sterling silver, surgical suture silk
Fe2O3-Rust IV, $425
Steel spring, oxidised sterling silver, vitreous enamel and surgical suture
Fe2O3-Rust V, $325
Iron, oxidised sterling silver, surgical suture silk

Image top: Catherine Large, Fe203-Rust I, (detail), 2021. Photo: Michelle Bowden Visuall Photography