The pun in the title of this exhibition makes reference to both the academic aspects of the city and to the act of donning regalia, insignia, jewellery and other badges or markers that establish an association between the wearer and his or her Oxford. Each of the 19 artist jewellers involved have created their own ‘donnings’.
The show has been beautifully curated with the circular grey stone walls of the gallery hosting soft slate grey display panels created from treated canvas.
Jo Pond has produced five compact pieces, each of which started life as a boxed set of Oxford Mathematical Instruments. Balliol Tin is overseen by the image of Balliol from the lid of each set and Complete and accurate is complete with the addition of an eraser.
Shadi Vossough’s suite of brooches, What a Load of Old Cobblers 1 – 6, are a beautiful set of ovoid shapes made from polyester resin, fibreglass, pigment and stainless steel with 1 — Black Bootnail inlay, and 2 — Wiggly worms, bearing imprints that have clear resonances with their titles.
Tamsin Leighton-Boyce’s Tangible Networks use recycled packaging, paint and steel to create a series of very delicate and intricately woven shapes enclosing trapped spaces as in Inextricably Linked and Mutually Beneficial.
Heidi Hunter has developed an intriguing series of wearable art-medals in Medals for a Museologist. Each medal contains a tiny fragment that link to sources of inspiration and records of achievement.
Katherine Richmond’s Thyrsis uses Matthew Arnold’s poem about Oxford and its environs as a starting point, making delicate paper and steel sculptural brooches depicting her travels in the area.
The exhibition is at the 03 Gallery until July 1, open Tuesday to Sunday.
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