Ganoksin Online Exhibition 'Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World'

Ganoksin is pleased to announce its third annual International Online Jewelry Exhibition.

This year's theme "Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World".   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/holdingplace2013

Black Basket, 2011, silver, 21x11x7 cm 
raised, mounted, oxidised 
Paul Derrez, Galerie Ra, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Online Exhibition: "Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World".   http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/holdingplace2013

These containers and vessels definitely hold their place in the world of stunning art objects as well as in the world of metalsmithing.

Since the dawn of time humans have created containers to hold things that were important to them, from large vessels to hold food and harvests to intimate containers for small precious things. They might hold memories, ashes, medicine, beverage, fruit or food - but all spring from the imagination and skill of the maker. Some have specific religious functions, some are meant for everyday use. When one thinks of a vessel or container the inclination is to think of something with solid walls - yet many of these works involve the exploration of positive and negative space, and the use of negative space to help create the illusion of the wall of the vessel.

As the world's largest jewelry related internet site, Ganoksin strives to develop exhibitions showcasing work from around the world. This exhibition was open to all metalsmiths, professional and amateur, advanced and beginner. Participants are from The Netherlands, the USA, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Colombia, Romania, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia and Denmark. While most of the pieces are by an individual metalsmith, some are collaborations, one of three artists spanning 50 years.

In total 319 artists contributed 729 show pieces for the permanent online exhibition.
Objects in the exhibition include boxes, lockets, urns, ash containers, bowls, wine cups, reliquaries, match holders, vases, teapots, pitchers, sugar bowls, baskets, nests, pillboxes, clutches and a range of sculptural forms. A variety of techniques are showcased covering a wide range of metalsmithing techniques. Materials used include everything from gold and silver to less expensive metals. Ornamentation includes the addition of enamel, chasing and repousse', gemstones and found objects.

The exhibition was curated by Beth Wicker, President of the North Carolina Society of Goldsmiths in the United States, and Adjunct Instructor at Northeastern Technical College in South Carolina. Director of the exhibition is Hanuman Aspler, founder of The Ganoksin Project, the world's largest internet jewelry site.

Visit the online exhibition 'Holding Place: A Repository of Containers and Vessels by Metalsmiths Around the World' at:  http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/holdingplace2013

"He Said, She Said..."
copper, sterling silver, CZ 29"x4.5"x5"
Lauren McAdams Selden, Nacogdoches, TX. USA

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder...Online Jewelry Exhibition

Mussorgsky Ring - synthetic rubber electrical insulation
tubing, aluminum grounding wire
Ian Henderson, USA

The online exhibition titled "Beauty Is In the Eye of the Beholder" is an exhibition that is accessible to everyone with a computer...Showcasing some of the finest Jewelers and new stars on the horizon...247 images from over 55 artists representing North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Central America, Africa and Eurasia. 

But this one is a little different - you won't find elaborate designs in Gold & Platinum...with precious metals pricing designers out of their own market...this exhibit demands that we think outside our comfort zones...

Edison Moment Ring - Antique Headlamp bulb, 

copper, textured and patinated

Judy Freyer Thompson, USA

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder" is a visual trip through contemporary jewelry design from around the world, focused on some surprising material choices. This exhibition features work by jewelry artists who are exploring the concept of jewelry as wearable art using a wide range of materials, many not commonly thought of as "jewelry" materials. One of the driving goals of the exhibition is to show the quality and range of work that can be created using materials other than the "big three" - platinum, gold and silver. While these may be used as accents in the work, they do not compose the primary material.

Design choices drive material choices, and the entries in this exhibition show the tremendous range of possible materials which can be used to create cutting edge jewelry. Materials used range from metals used for thousands of years, such as copper and bronze, to "new" metals such as titanium, to natural materials such as vertebrae and wood, to surprising man-made materials such as plastic drinking straws and colored pencils."

Damascus Steel Ring - 316L stainless steel, 304L stainless steel
David Parums, Australia

...are you using alternative materials in your designs?  

Stay in out of this sweltering Summer Heat click thru and enjoy...