Retrospect

The Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt has a reputation for presenting contemporary jewellery and Retrospect, opening on 2 February, is the latest Dowse exhibition to satiate passionate jewellery fans. Retrospect juxtaposes an installation by respected Wellington artist and teacher Peter Deckers with works by 20 emerging and established contemporary jewellers, many of whom he has mentored. Deckers' Far Sight, created in 2007, is a cabinet of works looking back at twenty years of making jewellery since immigrating to New Zealand.

"The works in Retrospect present a magnificent survey of current contemporary jewellery practice," says curator Jo Mears, "The exhibition pays homage to and 'gives back' to Peter Deckers, a mentor who has created many opportunities for new and established artists to exhibit in major public shows."

The 20 Retrospect artists complementing Deckers' work are: Debbie Adamson, Vivien Atkinson,Renee Bevan, Nadene Carr, Jacqui Chan, Kristin D'Agostino, Cath Dearsley, Gillian Deery, Sharon Fitness, Suni Gibson, Victoria McIntosh, Ross Malcolm, Vaune Mason, Jhana Millers, Neke Moa, Shelley Norton, Lynsay Raine, Sarah Read, Nadine Smith & Raewyn Walsh.

Deckers was born in the Netherlands and completed his early jewellery training and education there. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1985 and completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at Elam, Auckland University, in 2003. He currently works as a lecturer in jewellery and contextural studies at Whitireia, Porirua. A recent 20 year survey exhibition at Pataka, Porirua, highlighted his interest in language through a series of pieces displayed with accompanying sound. Deckers was the subject of the book, 'Choices of the Hand; a Survey of Work from New Zealand Jeweller Peter Deckers', published by First Editions, Wellington, supported by Creative New Zealand. Deckers' jewellery practice also extends into curatorial projects; Deep and Deeper Still, the Jewellery Out of Context world tour, handSTAND and Handshake, his mentoring and exhibition programme. Deckers is also a founder member of TheSeeHere.com gallery and website. In February 2012, he organised a four day jewellery symposium JEMposium: Jewellery or What,which brought together New Zealand and international contemporary jewellers.

Retrospect opened in February 2012 at the TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre, Pah Homestead in Auckland, the home of the collection of The James Wallace Arts Trust and later that year moved to the Wallace Gallery in Morrinsville. Curator Jo Mears acknowledges the generous support of Creative New Zealand, The James Wallace Arts Trust and The Dowse.