This necklace was borne from the development of Nicola's production line of jewellery which explores the use of fine silver sheet metal as fabric. It is made from fine and sterling silver and measures 68cm in length.
With this piece, Nicola was accepted as a finalist in the Early Career Designer category of Profile: Contemporary Jewellery and Object Award held at the Australian Design Centre from 9 August to 29 September 2022. The exhibition then toured to Hazelhurst Arts Centre from 26 November 2022 to 29 January 2023.
Below is Nicola's artist statement for this work:
"Nicola learnt how to make chain at the Australian National University's (then) Gold and Silversmithing workshop in 2018. The chain necklace is a significant form of jewellery for Nicola, having inherited a long steel chain necklace from her mother, an 18th birthday gift from her father in 1960s Denmark.
With COVID-19 forcing the closure of the workshop in 2020, Nicola switched from wire to sheet metal, exploring its materiality in her home studio. Recalling her teenage sewing hobby, Nicola tucked and folded metal, choosing fine silver because of its delicacy and slight malleability.
As her collection of production line earrings was finalised, Nicola continued to experiment with sheet metal in a way that suggested the movement and folds of fabric. This piece—Long Ruffled Necklace—is the result of that experimentation. The length and use of chain evokes memories of her mother’s necklace, into which she has integrated her self-expression through the use of fine silver sheet as fabric. This piece symbolises both Nicola's history and future as a maker."
With COVID-19 forcing the closure of the workshop in 2020, Nicola switched from wire to sheet metal, exploring its materiality in her home studio. Recalling her teenage sewing hobby, Nicola tucked and folded metal, choosing fine silver because of its delicacy and slight malleability.
As her collection of production line earrings was finalised, Nicola continued to experiment with sheet metal in a way that suggested the movement and folds of fabric. This piece—Long Ruffled Necklace—is the result of that experimentation. The length and use of chain evokes memories of her mother’s necklace, into which she has integrated her self-expression through the use of fine silver sheet as fabric. This piece symbolises both Nicola's history and future as a maker."