Hosted by the Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia (JMGA) WA Chapter Inc.

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Established in 1984, this biennial survey exhibition has a continued legacy of providing valuable exposure of the work of emerging makers. This is the sixteenth Graduate Award Exhibition to coincide with a JMGA biennial conference and it is the third time Graduate Metal has been hosted by Western Australia.

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Graduate Metal XVI is a juried survey exhibition. To be eligible for consideration, graduates need to enter works created in their final year of study in an Australian or New Zealand tertiary course. They need to have completed a Diploma, Associate Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Undergraduate, Honours degree or a Certificate Qualification in jewellery and/or metalsmithing since the last JMGA Biennial Conference in Melbourne in July 2017.

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Therefore, Graduate Metal 16, will be a selection of graduate works from 2017-2023.

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Graduate Metal XVI is a key JMGA initiative that fosters emerging talent and draws attention to the achievements of recent graduates. From a graduate’s perspective, the exhibition offers the opportunity to show their best final-year work in a major exhibition. They and others can see their work in the context of what has been produced by their peers from Australia and New Zealand. The exhibited works stand as testimony to what has interested, motivated and captivated students in their final year of study.

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For the exhibition viewer, the exhibition offers the unique opportunity to see first-hand the works that are emerging from TAFE, university and polytechnic studios.

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In light of many tertiary course closures in Australia and New Zealand, this survey show provides an insight into recent directions in education for jewellery and metalsmithing and is more important than ever.

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The exhibition will be held at Gallery Central, 12 Aberdeen St. Northbridge.

Exhibition opens for viewing: 16^th September 2024

Official celebration opening & award presentations: 3rd October 6.00pm

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There is a selection process involved to exhibit, ensuring a show of the highest quality graduation exhibition work. A curation committee will be appointed to select work from the applications received. Our esteemed panel of judges will also select works for awards and prizes in the exhibition.

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Judging Panel:

Julia Heineccius

Andrew Nicholls

Carola Akindele-Obe

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AWARDS

‍Award for ambitious and original work, displaying the best cohesion of conceptual and technical elements: Studio Ingot Mentorship award -  Three month mentorship for the development of a cohesive gallery collection with a solo window exhibition at Studio Ingot Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Fitzroy, Victoria.

Awarded to: Mengting Zou

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Award for work displaying an exceptional development of a chosen technique: Jewellery Training Solutions award - One year Pro Plus membership access to Jewellery Training Solutions website $590

Awarded to: Anke Kindle

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JMGA AWARD For overall excellence in design, creation and concept: Cash Prize $500

Awarded to: Ko Jou Chen

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Award for best interpretation and realisation of concept: Australian Jewellers Supplies Voucher $250

Awarded to: Matthew Freeman

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The judging panel also wanted to recognise a number of artists as Highly Commended for Graduate Metal XVI:

Zoë Pollitt

Katherine Hubble

Lori Hakim

Beth Sanderson

Gaia Walicka

Petite-Cherie Boylan-Knight

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AWARD Judges:

Julia Heineccius was in Perth to conduct a workshop and present her paper at the 19th National Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia Conference. Julia Heineccius studied at the University of Washington, andearned her MFA in Metalsmithing from Cranbrook Academyof Art in 2012. She has completed a number of residencies,exhibited throughout America and Europe, and currently lecturesin jewellery and metal at North Seattle College. Julia createsfunctional and sculptural objects, but pursues jewellery as aconcept, a form of art, and a set of techniques. Julia is a guestpresenter at the 19th JMGA National Conference this October.

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Andrew Nicholls is an artist, writer and curator whose workexplores how power is expressed through aesthetics, with aparticular focus on the historical decorative arts. Particularlydriven by historical research and engagement with heritagesites and museum collections, he has curated projects in iconiclocations around the globe, including the Freud Museum London,the Royal Pavilion Brighton, and the Bargello, Florence. He hasexhibited and undertaken residencies across Australia, Canada,China, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, the United Kingdom and theUnited States, and his work is held in major Australian collectio

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Carola Akindele-Obe is co-founder of Maker & Smith, anindependent craft & design initiative in WA. She is also cofounder, co-curator, and festival director of the Indian OceanCraft Triennial. Her independent arts management career ofover 30 years’ experience, is based on formative experiences inScotland, Asia, and Africa, strengthened by a BA(Hons) Designin Embroidered & Woven Textiles from Glasgow School of Art,City & Guilds in Basketry/3D Woven Design, and a Master of ArtsAdministration from UNSW, Sydney.

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