‘Adversity’ by Kathryn Wardill
‘Whole Split in Half’ Oxidised sterling silver
For Kathryn, poor concentration and skills, a creeping lack of judgement, inability to sustain work ethics and difficulty adhering to timelines were complications encountered in the making of some 40 rings. These difficulties have indelibly influenced the nature of her new series, ‘Adversity’. This collection of rings explores the emotional and physical consequences of adversity, exploring the ways in which difficult personal situations affect the making process from a conceptual and technical perspective.
It is one thing to make items about difficult subjects, it is another to make during difficult events. The artist has adapted to ways of making jewellery while going through a difficult time in her life. The work is heavy in weight, scale and colour. The surfaces are blackened and rough. The techniques used in the creation of these forms have been limited to the minimum required for each. The work is highly personal, the titles of the pieces offering the viewer a glimpse into the events of the last six months of the artist’s life.
“The work is dark, heavy and bold, because it’s tied to the concept,” says Kathryn. “In this body of work, the process is inseparable from the materials, the techniques, the story. As a result the work is very personal. It’s been difficult, but I feel I’ve produced an open expression of adversity.”
Kathryn Wardill is a Melbourne-based contemporary jeweller who received her Master of Arts (Fine Art) by research from RMIT University in 1998. As a jeweller and glass artist she has actively participated in group and solo exhibitions internationally for the last 15 years.
