The Island Gallery

The Island Gallery features Indonesian and Northwest artists who are inspired by tradition yet innovating in techniques and designs. Our silver jewelry from award-winning Indonesian silversmiths incorporate textile motifs in designs that are carried out using repousse and chasing techniques popular before the Second World War. Our American artists create necklaces, bracelets and earrings from semi-precious stones and antique beads gathered from around the world, the designs reflecting natural forms and phenomena and evoking memories of the past.

Jewelry artist Virginia Paquette notes:

Creating this new series of jewelry is fascinating for me because the process uses the same design elements of painting - the depth of color, faceted surfaces that collect and reflect light, rich texture and shape, contrast and intensity - all are the elements that are found, in this case, in the natural stones, and their arrangement and juxtaposition. Each unique piece variously combines semi-precious stones, coral, silver, pearls, crystal, or jade. Each is titled with an element from nature, suggested by its colors and textures. And I frequently use antique beads because their weight and luster and character often tell more of a story.

ARTISTS

Virginia Paquette, Priyo Salim, Su Olsen, David Mendoza, Lou Zeldis, Sandy Swirnoff and Cleva Rose.

CURRENT EXHIBITION (more information)

October-November 2004. FOREIGN BODIES, Bead Constructions and Paintings of Found Images from Italy. Virginia Paquette.

Sumba, Kalimantan and Java Textile Motifs on Silver, Priyo Salim

Turquoise; olivine jade and garnet; apatite and fluorite necklaces, Virginia Paquette

Garnet, carnelian, coral, citrine and vintage glass beads, Virginia Paquette

Sumba textile motif on silver, Priyo Salim

Conus shell, carnelian, Tibetan prayer beads, ostrich shell discs, antique African beads, sterling silver & copper, Su Olsen

Pearls, citrine and crystal, Virginia Paquette