Introducing Carl Noonan
Carl Noonan joins e.g.etal with a sleek contemporary jewellery collection that re-imagines geometric forms in silver, gold and titanium.
Carl’s pieces are often 3D drawn and printed, but his recent ‘Flesh and Bone’ collection features laser-cut titanium scaffolds covered with silver and gold, filed back to reveal the skeleton beneath.
We asked Carl to share what influences and informs his practice.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
A reimagining of simple geometry. Androgynous, simple and bold. I try to reveal 3D form in new ways that cause people to wonder and to play.
What made you want to become a jewellery artist?
I began making jewellery when I was in high school, mostly because I was full of teenage angst and had plenty of free time. I started experimenting with different ways of putting beautiful objects on my body – making wristbands and chokers out of unusual materials like the innards of old computers. I then landed at Sydney College of the Arts and fell in love with the Jewellery and Object studio. It wasn’t until the last few years that I started to seriously back myself as a practicing artist and now I’ve got a pretty bad case of tunnel vision.
What influences and inspires you?
For me, getting the initial inspiration for an object is a bit of spiritual process. I feel a strong connection to a Great Creator and kind of feel like my ideas happen as a spiritual exchange – a lucid moment where the idea kind of falls into my brain.
I’m also inspired by the connection between the maker and the wearer. At the end of the day, what matters is that your work gets worn and that people get to enjoy it. It’s a very intimate thing.
The innovative work of fellow contemporary jewellers such as Cinnamon Lee and Sean O’Connell inspires and intimidates me at the same time.
How do you approach making new work?
Ideas usually come to me when I’m drawing in my art book or mucking around with some clay. I tend to wrestle with a concept for a long time, drawing the same shapes over and over and playing around with them; filling up pages and pages of books. Coming up with new concepts is my favourite part of the process. When I think a concept s strong I draw it in CAD and begin to prototype.
What are your favourite materials to work with and why?
I like the new opportunities that come with 3D drawing and printing. I like the colour of titanium, its strength and lightweight character and knowing it will look the same a thousand years from now.
