Fixing the Unbroken features the work of three silversmiths who push at the boundaries of contemporary silversmithing practice, each challenging the status quo in his own way. Clarke (UK) with his sense of humour and satire, Bauhuis (Germany) his alchemic metallurgical impossibilities and Bila (Australia) with his collisions of the archaic and the digital, do not set out to suggest that there is anything wrong with the medium. Rather, in Fixing the Unbroken each with gentle subversion offer new perspectives on vessel making.
Artists Peter Bauhuis, Vito Bila, David Clarke
Peter Bauhuis, vessel, 2015, fine silver, sterling silver
David Clarke, Blow Spoons, 2014, pewter and electroplated nickel silver
About the Artists
David Clarke is one of the strongest metalsmiths currently working and easily the most prominent avant garde figure in the medium in the UK. Through his own studio work, he has mounted a vibrant challenge to settled assumptions about his medium. While he is capable of good craftsmanship, the value of his work is primarily expressive, conceptual and poetic. And because of his rather devilish turn of mind - he has a wicked sense of humor and satire, and an ability to poke holes in inflated values - he has had a dramatic effect in exhibition contexts here. He is like a jester in the court of contemporary craft. Glenn Adamson Director of the Museum of Arts & Design.NYC
Peter Bauhuis was born 1965 in Friedrichshafen, Germany. He lives and works in Munich. Being trained as a jeweller, Peter studied at the Munich Academy for Fine Arts with Otto Künzli, since 1999 he works in his own studio in Munich and shows his work in exhibtions and won numerous awards and prizes, in 2013 the prestigious prize of the International Silver Triannial in Hanau, Germany. His work can also been seen in public collections in Europe, the USA and Australia. He teaches at Alchimia, school for Contemporary Jewellery in Florence, Italy. Peters work consists of jewellery and objects, as well as books and exhibitions.
Vito Bila’s practice is focused on non-functional metal vessels that explore a dynamic and unconventional combination of processes. Vito’s work engages a dialogue between hand made, digital and industrial techniques and processes. The juxtaposition of these processes creates an opportunity to reflect on the inherent qualities of analogue and digital processes and their ability to support and enrich each other in the practice of object making. Vito has exhibited in Australia and internationally. In 2014 he was visiting lecturer at the Rhode Island School of Design. Vito’s work is held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of South Australia and Hamilton City Gallery, Victoria.