SUE WHITEMAN
During a workshop I
attended a few years ago in Ireland, my tutor quizzed me as to whether
there was any family history of metalworking or art in my background. I
related that, upon my father's death a cache of well executed oil
paintings of the West Coast of Ireland painted by my maternal
grandmother had come to light and that one of my father's skills was
that of a farrier for which he was well known. With his passing I have
inherited his anvil and a great number of really useful tools. As for
myself, I have had a penchant for drawing since childhood. It seems that
coming to jewellery making and silversmithing may have been only a
matter of time - more like an inevitable discovery.
A background in visual
arts through the degree course at James Cook University, North
Queensland, touching on a very wide range of art related areas has stood
me in good stead. I am always influenced by my natural
surroundings and take a great interest in the finer details of how
nature puts things together. Sometimes taking some small part of a
detail will lead me to a series of work that in finality bears no
resemblance to the initial idea but retains the elegance of good design
and elegance - like nature.
I mostly work in silver
and love to combine other metals with it, especially copper. Gemstones
also hold a fascination for me and I take great satisfaction in
including stones I have cut myself in my work - sometimes made to order.
I believe jewellery is to
be worn with confidence and therefore needs a degree of integrity,
longevity and individualism that will ensure its endurance and continues
to give pleasure to the wearer.
