January 21- February 28, 2015

Opening Reception: Friday January 23, 6-8 pm

Inspired by a recent tour of European museums, palaces, and treasure houses, Jane Dodd: Rococo Revolution illustrates the artist’s simultaneous experience of seduction and repulsion to the sumptuous and decadent housing of these elite collections. Referencing a contemporary interpretation of the late Baroque aesthetic, Dodd’s meticulously carved bone and wood pieces take the form of wearable objects, each representing symbolic elements drawn from the natural world.  According to the New Zealand based artist:

“Rococo Revolution… illustrates my discomfort with the way we hoover up wildlife and environment for our own frivolous ends. With these pendants I want to honor the simple, elegant forms of the animal world. The subject of the brooches is the battle between nature and culture. The collection of works pays homage to the crazy and rich craft traditions of the Rococo Age.”

Prior to studying 3D Design/Jewelry at the Unitec Institute of Technology in Auckland, Dodd earned a BA in the Phenomenology of Religion with additional papers in Anthropology, Art History, Maori Language and Philosophy from the University of Otago. Her jewelry has appeared in publications such as the book 21st Century Jewellery: the best of the 500 series and can be found in the permanent collections of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, The Dowse Art Museum (NZ), and Hawkes Bay Museum (NZ).  With a background in both music and the arts, Dodd is also known on an international level for her role as a bass player in influential punk bands such as The Chills and The Verlaines.  She presently lives and works in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand.  

To read a recent Art Jewelry Forum interview with the artist, CLICK HERE.

Jane Dodd, 14 Bits #1. Tails and paws and teeth and… Relics of martyrs, 2014, Pendant: Lignum vitae, beef bone, ebony, boxwood, dye, sterling silver

Jane Dodd, 14 Bits #2. Tails and paws and teeth and… Relics of martyrs, 2014, Pendant: Lignum vitae, beef bone, ebony, boxwood, dye, sterling silver

Jane Dodd, A Jungle Incident, 2014, Brooch: Lignum vitae, ebony, 18k gold, ruby, sterling silver

Jane Dodd, Fuchsprellen, 2014, Brooch: Lignum vitae, beef bone, marcasite, sterling silver

Jane Dodd, Wrestling, 2014, Brooch: Mother of pearl, sterling silver, pearls, garnet

Jane Dodd, Roast, Cook fast at 200°, or slow at 140°, Ebony, beef bone, 9k gold, sterling silver, marcasite

Jane Dodd, 14 Bits, Pendant:, Wing, Ebony, sterling silver, 7 x 8 x 1.9 cm

Jane Dodd, An Eagerly Awaited Arrival, One Day Soon Fish Will Be… Lignum vitae, beef bone, marcasite, sterling silver

Jane Dodd, 14 Bits, Pendant: Tooth, Boxwood, sterling silver, 8.6 x 3.4 x 2.1 cm

Jane Dodd, 14 bits, Pendant: Tongue, bone, dye, sterling silver, 110 x 37 x 24mm

Jand Dodd, 14 Bits, Pendant: Paw, 2014, Ebony, sterling silver, 52 x 31 x 22mm

Jane Dodd, 14 Bits, Pendant: Black/White Tooth, 2014, Lignum vitae, dye, sterling silver, 8.8 x 5.8 x 2.2 cm

To download a PDF of the full press release, please CLICK HERE.