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Carolyn Delzoppo, Enamellist
Carolyn Delzopo has been exhibiting her cloisonne jewellery
and miniature art works for two decades, and has received many awards both
in Australia and internationally, including Japan, the United States and Spain.
Her work is available in many galleries throughout Australia, and she teaches
several workshops and classes in cloisonne enamelling each year.
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'I am a miniaturist. I believe that small is beautiful,
and that details are important. These ideas I express with the traditional
technique of cloisonne enamel on metal. Most recently my work, both miniatures
and jewellery, has been a commentary on environmental issues, or has been
inspired from observations in a small patch of the planet, my garden in northern
New South Wales.
I am interested in issues to do with plants, such as green effect or global
warming, of the dangers in genetic modification of plants, of loss of seed
and plant diversity world wide. I also love to express the sheer beauty and
wonder of flowers and plant forms - they never cease to surprise and delight.
Cloisonne enamelling appeals to my sense of scale, my love of pattern and
fine detail, and my interest in drawing and line.
Cloisonne enamel can be recognised by the characteristic fine lines of silver
embedded in the enamel glass surface. Traditionally the metal lines were there
to outline and separate the different enamel colours, but I prefer to use
them as a design element in themselves, freeing them of this role of containment.
I try to preserve some of the spontaneity of my pencil drawings when preparing
the metal wires for enamelling, so that the line becomes becomes a calligraphic
means of communication and expression, and the colours can spill over and
around.
Enamelling is a process of fusing specially formulated coloured glass to metal
by means of heat. The ground glass is applied in five or six thin layers,
each being fired before proceeding with the next. It is an exacting craft,
requiring not only careful placement of wires and grains of colour, but also
extensive knowledge of the firing properties of the different enamel types
and colours.
Both the miniatures and jewellery are enamelled on fine (pure) silver, and
most jewellery is set into frames of sterling silver. I make brooches, earrings,
neckpieces and pendants. I love to make brooches, and consider these as tiny
works of art for the body. No two are ever the same, though I often make a
series that will be based on a similar theme or idea. I make one-of-a-kind
pieces of jewellery, both for my own pleasure and expression, and for the
technical challenges of the medium.
I also make limited edition jewellery which is available in several outlets
throughout Australia. Enamel is a totally absorbing medium, and even though
at times its vagaries can be frustrating, I imagine that I will spend the
rest of my life exploring its vast potential. Enamel does not release it's
secrets easily, but rewards those who have the patience to look, take risks
and explore.'
For the full text of Carolyn's thoughts on 'Precious
Detail'.
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