Bracelet

RESEARCH BACKGROUND Baines work draws upon his experience as a contemporary artist-jeweller and goldsmith and research into the aesthetics and fabrication techniques of 12th century Islamic jewellery. Analysis and replication of these early designs informed a process of experimentation that combined metals such as gold and silver with non-precious materials like plastic to test assumptions about historical and contemporary jewellery practice. The development of artist-made jewellery can be situated within a larger framework of seminal movements in 20th century art innovators such as Hermann Junger, Gijs Bakker, Albert Paley, Eleanor Moty, Jamie Bennett, Arline Fisch, Yasuki Hiramatsu, Max Fröhlich, Falko Marx, and Robert Smit. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION Baines developed an approach to object making that builds on knowledge gained from earlier forms of jewellery making, aesthetics and materials to create new interpretative works. This work demonstrates that jewellery can be produced from a combination of precious and non-precious materials and rework historic designs yet remain authentic and visually relevant. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE This work was part of an exhibition that traced the development of artist-made jewellery and honored its craft roots. It showcased an array of national and international works made between 1963 and 2006, including 300 objects, with 275 pieces of jewellery and drawings, watercolours, sketchbooks and sculptural constructions. It also included a symposium, A Grand Passion: Global Perspectives on Contemporary Art Jewelry, 12 April 08, with presentations by Baines and other leading artists. The work in this exhibition illustrates the importance of contemporary jewellery as a global art form and examines the importance of artistic intention rather than the market value of the material used.