Carved from a rainbow...

On 21 September, Hustle&Scout will present a range of quality jewellery, including none other than local designer, Jodie Cunningham. A visual artist and maker of objects, Jodie has become known around Canberra for her bright, signature circle designs which range from statement necklaces, earrings, and even hanging art and light shades.

It is hard not to be attracted to Jodie's pieces - they are so unique and colourful - you feel happy just looking at them. This is interestingly an important part of Jodie's practice - exploring the power and energy that colour has in affecting someone's emotional state. Working largely with hints of complimentary opposites, Jodie draws her colour-inspiration from both past and present. Whether it be the lime green from her 70s childhood or the mint greens in her present 1940s kitchen, her pieces are works of art that could have been carved out of the most magnificent of rainbows. 

While her artistic practice (and being a Mum) keeps her busy, Jodie also spends her days working as a Lecturer in Visual Art and Design in the Centre for Creative Industries at the Canberra Institute of Technology. Jodie was once trained as a painter, but her skill set obviously doesn't stop there. Jodie also works with drawing, digital imaging, sculpture and design. Jodie is also no stranger to exhibiting her art. She has participated in 8 group exhibitions and presented a major solo exhibit, Succulent-Jodie Cunningham, at the ANU School of Art. The title 'Succulent', for me, evokes images of hard-candy I devoured as a child - round, delicious treats embellished with whimsical patterns and layers of colourful encrusted sugar.

The patterns that are unique to Jodie's designs have been sourced from domestic features of the home, such as wallpaper, fabric, utensils and furniture. My favourite is the crochet pattern (pictured above). Jody says that every piece 'represent[s] an archaeology of [her] domestic life and family history, with reference to patterns from different periods in time'.

Jodie's pieces have recently made an appearance at the new Assemblage Project store on Lonsdale St in Braddon. Her designs can also be found at the Craft ACT shop. BUT! For a more extensive look at Jodie's range of jewellery art, and to ask her more about her making-process and inspiration, you will have to come along to Hustle&Scout next week...

http://www.jodiecunningham.com/