M i c h e l l e W a d s w o r t h
West Australian Jewellery Designer
Maker & Jewellery Designer
Bio
Michelle was born in Melbourne Australia from an ancestry line in architecture and gold mining and later moved to Perth, Western Australia.
She was surrounded by creativity in her teenage years, heavily influenced by her mother’s exploration in craft and making. From ceramics to metal-beating this direct connection passed from Mother to Daughter building strong foundations and introducing her to expression through making.
She went on to lead a successful career in Makeup Artistry and Fashion Merchandising and continued to explore painting, beading and dress making. A new focus seen her enrol in Design Fundamentals for Visual Art followed by Jewellery Design at the then named Central Institute of Technology Perth.
Michelle graduated in 2015 with an Advanced Diploma in Jewellery Design and was awarded the prize for Exceptional Student Design and Craftsmanship. From here she set up a home studio to focus on and further develop her personal design aesthetic as well as continuing in short courses in jewellery.
Her early career path seen Michelle's work accepted into several well noted galleries and jewellery awards including one of the most anticipated industry events Contemporary Wearables. Other work has appeared in publications from Artisan Gallery and Toowoomba Regional Gallery.
She continues to be inspired by all creatives and seeks to never stop making to join the world of admired artisans.
Current
An Artist's life is forever changing including the pieces that are made. Currently Michelle works from her home studio in Fremantle WA creating CALYPSO BELLE, an ocean inspired range of silver and gem stone jewellery available online www.calypsobelle.com.
Artistic Vision
I create to directly reflect the purpose of tribal traditions of adornment and ceremony in reflection to modern society. Material desires have not changed, selecting readily available objects worn to mark occasion and to reflect status. I aim to reflect the raw nature of the wearer which is transformed with the placements of objects on the body.
Artist Statement
The application of creating comes from deep within having been collected through one's exposure, emotions and journeys. It is present from inheritance and the land you stand on, creation comes from your minds’ extension.
Designing and making is a progressive gift, with handcrafting uniquely exposing varying results. Making is a channel from everything within me.
As I hold the metal in my hands something is transferred and I will continue to grow through my craft and offer it to view as an extension of myself.
Metal smithing, design and making are now embedded in me through personal and close relationships developed with lecturers and other artisans.
Exhibitions
SHINE, CREATIVE INDUSTRIES BEST GRADS 2015 - 2016, Gallery Central, Central Institute of Technology, Perth WA, Curator Thelma.
ATTITUDE AS FORM 2016 - Redland Art Gallery, Clevland, QLD, Curator Beau Allen.
MADE IN MAKING 2015 - Graduate Exhibition , Gallery Central, Central Institute of Technology, Perth WA, Curators-Jurek Wybraniec, Louise Dickmann.
CONTEMPORARY WEARABLES 2015 - Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Toowoomba QLD, Jurator-Dr Dorothy Erickson, Curator-Melanie Pitkin.
VISUAL ARTS AND JEWELLERY ANNUAL AUCTION 2015 - Central Institute, Perth WA, Curators-Sharon White & Kadri Alekand.
ATTITUDE AS FORM 2015 - Gaffa Gallery, Sydney NSW, Curator-Beau Allen.
ATTITUDE AS FORM 2015 - Artisan Gallery, Brisbane QLD, Curator-Beau Allen.
ARTEX Belonging 2014 - Moores Building, Fremantle WA.
WORLD SKILLS EXPO 2014 - Exhibitor for Central Institute, Perth WA, Curator-Sam Farmer.
WORX 2013 - Stage 2 Advanced Diploma Exhibition 2014, Stairwell Gallery, Perth WA, Curator-Alister Yiap.
Awards
2015 EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT DESIGN AND CRAFTMANSHIP Graduate Award, Australian Jewellery Supplies, Perth.
2013 Digital Design Award - Poster, Media Release, Catalogue Design, WORX Exhibition 2013 -Central Institute, Perth WA.
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Education
Advanced Diploma of Jewellery Design, Central Institute of Technology, 2015.
Stone Setting Workshop with Peter Keep, Central Institute of Technology, 2015.
Certificate of Advanced Jewellery, Central Institute of Technology, 2012.
Certificate III Visual Arts - Design Fundamentals, Central Institute of Technology, 2011.