Jewellery and larger objects responding to the structure of ice and landscape

Since 2004, when she travelled to Antarctica as an Antarctic Arts Fellow (NZ), Kirsten Haydon has explored the icy continent through jewellery and object making. Her practice has considered the structures and palette of Antarctica's forbidding terrain through enamel. This group of also work explored the posibilities of large scale enamelling.This work is allied to the creative works that are a response to the phonomenological experience of Antarctica. Both nationally and internationally artists, authors and filmmakers including Anne Noble (NZ), Ronnie Van Hout (NZ), Elle Leane (AU) and Jörg Schmeisser (AU) and Werner Herzog have produced significant works about their experiences of Antractica.

Research Significance
This exhibition was the outcome of an Australia Council New Work Grant and several works where aquired for the permanent collection at Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington.

Research Contribution
This group of work explored the posibilities of large scale enamelling. The use of vitreous enamel in contemporary jewellery and object making in Australia has been modest since the 1970's. However enamelling is making a reappearance with innovative applications both here and overseas. The creation and exhibition of new and larger-scale silversmithing objects contributes to this developing practice.