AMANDA DENISON Contemporary Jewellery
  • HOME
  • Contact
  • BROOCHES - Enamelled Steel
  • PIN BROOCHES
  • NECK PIECES

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

 Influences

I have lived in London all my life and I am influenced by the urban environment.   I am inspired and intrigued by the traces left behind through decay and dilapidation and by the textures and marks stamped on the urban environment.  And I am drawn to repeated elements that distort and change.  My fascination with pattern and surface textures translates into my pieces.  I have a fine art background and this influences my approach; I draw into my enamelled surfaces and exploring mark making is key to my work.

I work with precious and non-precious metals and I enjoy the challenge of combining industrial materials (steel and wet process enamel) with traditional jewellery-making processes to create distinctive textural pieces.  I incorporate patinas and enamels to add colour but my palette is subtle and restrained.  While most makers build up enamels in highly coloured layers I restrict mine to one or two colours and then deconstruct my enamels.  After firing pieces in my kiln I stone back the layers to remove the glassy surface and create a smooth matt surface with subtle areas of hue and tone. When patches of bare steel are revealed they are encouraged to rust. The end result is a richly degraded and unique piece of art jewellery.    Each piece is different for although I can repeat the processes there is always an element of chance and no two pieces are ever exactly the same.
Background
After completing a degree in Fine Art I worked in graphic design consultancies for many years.  Later, a trip to Thailand and a chance encounter led me to train in Shiatsu and Oriental Medicine and to work as a Shiatsu Practitioner.  When injury and a young child necessitated a change of career I ended up working locally in the NHS.  

I missed working creatively and after a year of evening classes in Jewellery making I was hooked.  I considered doing a Masters but wanted to concentrate on developing practical making skills and opted to do a BTEC Level 3 course in Jewellery Making  (Kensington and Chelsea College).  I  supported this with short master classes.  My fine art background is reflected in the way I now approach my jewellery designs.
​
    All rights reserved. © 2016 Amanda Denison Contemporary Jewellery
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • Contact
  • BROOCHES - Enamelled Steel
  • PIN BROOCHES
  • NECK PIECES