Fingers Graduate Show

"As a recent graduate, Eileen has developed and produced a body of work which shows a sensibility and understanding of the materials concepts she is engaged with. We nominated Eileen for the graduate show, because she showed the determination and commitment needed for a sustained and informed practice as an emerging maker.

Thanks to Fingers for their support, an important and necessary contribution to the development of new graduates."

Shane Hartdegen, Head of Department, Jewellery


"The basis for this body of work has its foundations in my childhood. My intention is that the viewer can also attach their own memories to the jewellery, or use their imaginations to create their own personal attachment with each object.

My work focuses on interaction; interaction within the composition of the individual components of each piece, and also, the viewer's interpretation of the meaning or story behind each piece. My jewellery is tactile. It is meant to be touched and to be connected with in a way that is physical - through wearing and holding. I like to experiment with shapes, textures and the flat and three dimensional, creating juxtapositions with the materials i use. Repetition, solid and hollow forms, bright colours, and layering enhance the visual appeal. Textures and surfaces play a major role in my jewellery as touching and interacting with the work is so important. My intention is to make wearable objects which are visually intriguing and which also provide enjoyment for both the viewer and the wearer."

Eileen Leahy, 2012

Scuttle
(Necklace)
Silver, rubber, polyurethane, found objects.

Remnants
(Brooch)
Polyurethane, found objects, steel pin.

Conical
(Brooch)
Polyurethane, steel pin, found objects.

Midsummers Morning
(Brooch)
Copper, polyurethane, found objects, acrylic paint, steel pin.

Crustacea
(brooch)
Silver, polyurethane, acrylic paint, found objects.

Foam Bloom
Silver, rubber, polyurethane, acrylic paint, found objects.

One week to go...

There's about a week to go until the opening of the grad show at Fingers... exciting! My name is on their website just like all the other big-time jewellers -eek! http://www.fingers.co.nz/exhibition_program.htm I'm really looking forward to seeing the other graduates work and also how it all looks set up in the display.
I have continued my making since handing in my jewellery for Fingers. I've been working along the same lines of the work i made for this show - trying to get myself organised to put on a small exhibition at the end of the year. I want it to be very colourful and vibrant!! Here is a taste of what i've done so far... illustrated in this banana themed photograph.

Finally finished my body of work for the Fingers Graduate show next month!! I am super happy with how each piece had turned out... and i probably should keep this to myself, but, i feel really proud of what i've made :) I can't wait to see the exhibition!

2012...

A complete change of scenery for me this year. I am now working full-time making coffee and earning bugger all - but i am so desperate to be making and living jewellery now that my time for it is so limited!!! Every day i think about what i would rather be making and how i'm going to spend each evening and upcoming weekend. I feel like i'm overflowing with ideas and it is so great. It is almost the opposite to last year when i had almost unlimited amounts of time (was still earning bugger all though), but the ideas didn't seem to happen as freely.

There have been a couple of significant jewellery events so far this year, the first being JEMposium which happened in Wellington in February, and the second being the opening of Best In Show at Objectspace just last week which is showing work by my pal and fellow Hungry Creeker, Lisa Higgins.

JEMposium was a contemporary jewellery symposium which had well known international and local jewellers as speakers. It was a weekend full of making new friends, forming closer bonds with old friends, being completely absorbed in jewellery, as well as fitting in plenty of eating and drinking! I returned to Auckland feeling refreshed, inspired, and full of new ideas!

After JEMposium the next thing on my jewellery calendar was the Best In Show opening at Objectspace. BIS is a show that i have always looked forward to seeing as it is all work by recent graduates (which i am now!). This year's show was particularly exciting because my friend, Lisa, had her beautiful work displayed in the show. A massive CONGRATULATIONS to her! It was a fun night and the work looked fantastic.

Hopefully my next blog with contain photographic evidence that i have been working hard!