Dianne Beevers

"Salvaged from roof spaces of familiar, Victorian houses. Once highly sought after, slates roofs in Newcastle were replaced in the 20th century, by locally manufactured galvanized iron, or tiles. An accumulation of slates represented an opportunity to research this ancient and traditional material, and its potential to transfer to the human body as wearable objects, and restore cultural value. In material terms, the fragile nature of the brittle slates necessitated investigating how best to work the stone, and negotiating tolerances. Every fragment delivered new discoveries, as shards, consistent with a longstanding interest in mapping, and as evolved forms alluding to favourite bib forms, and gorgets, their antecedents. Drilling became a preoccupation, initially, the means to safely suspend the objects, then subsequently, to delineate images of traditional jewellery, phantom pearl necklaces, underlining the renewed nature of these fresh objects, presenting them as contemporary jewellery, conceptually and materially driven."

Dianne Beevers' expanded practice embraces contemporary jewellery, furniture design, and art in public space. Bringing emphasis on personal autonomy from her initial training as a visual artist, she has embedded a liberal approach to object making and a concern for ideas and sustainable materials.

SHARD Series, 2021
Bib I & II (oversized necklace), $300 each
Salvaged slate, phantom pearls, cord, rubber insulated wire

That Takes My Fancy (handheld fan), $300
Cantilever I (small handheld fan), $250
Salvaged slate

Shard (brooch), $200
Salvaged slate, safety pins

Image top: Dianne Beevers, Bib, 2021 Photo: Courtesy of the artist