I created this one-of-a-kind handmade brooch called ‘Open Your Mouth’ from a 4x3cm chunk of white ceramic tile, a piece of folded metal which reminded me of bent arms, and small pieces of metal as a nose and a mouth. It reminded me of a rhyme my parents used to say when they had bought a treat for us kids: “Open your mouth and close your eyes, and you will get a big surprise.” I found all the bits and bobs to make this brooch on the streets of Melbourne.
I normally create wall sculptures and 3D sculptures from the wood, metal and tiles I find on the streets of Melbourne. However, through Instagram I met handmade jewellery designer Lynn Powers from New Orleans. She encouraged me to try making jewellery from the objects I found on the street, but I never had.
Then I saw that the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria was holding its annual brooch exhibition, so I entered–and found that making brooches is great fun. Five of my pieces were on display in the 2019 Australian National Brooch Show. Now my brooches are also available through Incube8r Gallery, in both shops as well as online.
