The image I have chosen is an early 1940’s photograph of my grandmother, Marika Comninus, (Marika Molin as she was known then). She came to Australia from Corfu in 1938 and resided in Nambour, QLD. She is the first generation of my family to begin their life in Australia. In 1955 Marika, along with her 3 children and husband, moved to Brisbane.

The works I have created for this exhibition are contemporary adaptations of my family tree. Each branch is a member of my family. Whether a branch represents my Brother, Mother, Cousin or Uncles, we all stem from my grandmother and her roots of Corfu.

Venue: Charles Smith Gallery 65 Smith st, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Dates: Tuesday 10 February - Sunday 29 February inclusive

Garden Tea Party Opening: Friday 2pm, 13 February, Charles Smith Gallery

Imagine being able to see the creative process in action from inspiration to the finished artwork. Take a beached jellyfish, a decaying locomotive engine and a glitzy neon sign and what do you get? Find out when 12 talented jewellers from the north collaborate with photographers in The Jeweller and the Photograph.

The creative process is laid bare and Queensland life explored in this interdisciplinary exhibition at the Charles Smith Gallery, Fitzroy. The Jeweller and the Photograph curator and participant, Rebecca Ward says "Jewellers have chosen photographs taken in Queensland to spark their creativity. We wanted to show Melbourne some of the different facets of life here in the sunshine state. So there's imagery ranging from rock formations and fungus to the industrial decay of the Ipswich railyards. Each artist has interpreted their photograph in an exciting and unexpected way. For example, jeweller Ann Chadwick has used shampoo bottles and silver to capture the essence of a Bunya pine."

The artworks range from wearable jewellery including necklaces, brooches and earrings to small sculptural pieces and wall plaques. Carolynn Newport, exhibition organiser and participant says, "It's amazing to see the different creative processes at work and the variety of materials used. The artists have evoked the colourful palette of Queensland. As well as traditional gems and precious metals, they've used enamels, heat treated stainless steel, perspex, aluminium cans, patinated copper and bullet cases."

PREVIEW The Jeweller and the Photograph www.jmgq.com.au

Far left: Family Tree Capsule. Memory capsule. Sterling Silver, Copper. 130x33x20mm.

Second left: Family Tree Capsule. Memory capsule. Sterling Silver, Copper. 115x30x12mm.

Middle: Family Roots. Brooch.. Sterling Silver, Copper. 65x25x6mm

Second right: Family Roots. Brooch. Sterling Silver, Copper. 65x25x6mm

Far right: Branch Pins. Pins. Sterling Silver. 105x30x1mm; 120x30x1mm; 110x30x1mm.