2018 Winner of the 15th annual National Jewellery Student Competition

For her first exhibition, in the continuum of her previous body of work «Étreinte à Manea » which brought her to the forefront of the emergent Canadian contemporary jewellery scene, Justine Bonnin takes us though a presentation, through matter, of a catharsis on a question that is dear to her: 

Justine Bonnin: Ça commence par un J: June 29,2019 - July 11, 2019 

Reflections

I consider art as a means to access the mind. It can explore the soul, the self and objects, all at the same time; it presents (or it can present ) an alternate vision of the universe, and prompts us to question our ordinary perception of reality. In this perspective, a work of art does not mean, it "is". According to the Chinese poet Wei k'ing-tche (12th century), "Poetry is an exercise of Awakening". Art carries meaning inasmuch as it feeds the mind of the one that creates it and the one who engages with it by forcing, through observation, a change in his or her habits of perception.

September 27th - October 18th, 2018

Hands with Lights are perfectly square. Each panel contains images of birds and hands. Within some the hands and birds become unified with the fingers of the human hand becoming wings. With this series of paintings I have added LED lights within the upper frame. This way the cut line of the plexi subtly becomes drawings of light that flit across the surface of the painting. These paintings while meant to be shown with the lights off have the potential and option to turn the piece into a carnival event. The reflections on the plexi and the changes of composition between the plexi surfaces and the revealed painting change when viewed from various angles creating a sculptural effect.

View the exhibition here 

The 2018 finalists of the 15th annual National Jewellery Student Competition:

Emilie Bisson-Yassa, Ecole de Joaillerie de Québec
Justine Bonnin, École de Joaillerie de Montréal
Sophia Gaspard, École de Joaillerie de Montréal
Anastasia Pindera, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design 
Blake Van Buren, Alberta College of Art and Design

Our thanks to this year's gracious jurors: 

Emily Zilber, Editor of Metalsmith Magazine (US) 

Imogen Greenhalgh, Deputy Editor of Crafts Magazine (UK) 

Barbara Cohen, Art Jeweller and Curator

Meet the finalists at the opening on August 18th 1-3 p.m.; the winner will be announced at 2 p.m. The exhibition runs until September 9th.

Click here to view the exhibition catalogue

 Thank you to our donors for their continuing support: 

The British Crafts Council aims to make the UK the best place to make, see, collect and learn about contemporary craft by building a strong economy and infrastructure for contemporary craft, increasing and diversifying the audience for contemporary craft and championing high quality contemporary craft practices nationally and internationally. We believe that craft plays a dynamic and vigorous role in the UKs social, economic and cultural life. We believe that the future of craft lies in nurturing talent; children and young people must be able to learn about craft at school and have access to excellent teaching throughout their education. 

Craft Ontario is a not-for-profit service organization that works to have craft recognized as a valuable part of life. We promote and celebrate professional craft through providing member opportunities, and advocate for craft practice by educating and empowering diverse audiences.

The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) publisher of Metalsmith Magazine. SNAG aims to create an organization of designer craftsmen in the metal arts field and to produce a conference of professional jewelers. In 1969 a larger group met two more times, establishing the basic parameters of the organization, its name, and plans for the first SNAG conference in 1970.

Growing up in a tiny fishing village on the small island of Taiwan surrounded with a rich heritage of native culture and natural beauty, I became sensitive to vibrant colours and texture at an early age.  

I was formally trained in textile artistry in the New Brunswick College of Craft and design where I was inspired to combine my weaving skills with my creative thoughts to push the boundaries of textile art.

Creating intricate paper pieces from repurposed magazines allows me to stay with my traditional textile training in the form of weaving but to also explore using new materials and methods to create one of a kind work.Caring about the environment has led me to repurpose discarded magazine paper as my new textile.

 View the exhibition here