Rowena Park

I trained at Brighton University where I followed a 3d design course in mixed media setting up my own workshop in 1982 when I graduated. Since then I have continuously sold to shops and galleries in many countries.

I work with clear acrylic which Is shaped and bent using grinders, saw cuts and polishing grits to achieve the basic shapes , and transparent coloured lacquers combined with gold leaf create the vibrant effects, which are then “viewed” through the acrylic layer. The clear acrylic enhances the jewel like quality of the combination of lacquers and gold leaf by focusing the light into the acrylic and bouncing off from the coloured metallic layer.

 Constantly evolving new motifs and colourways, the “Dizzy” range has been developed from using ordinance survey maps while walking in the South Downs near to where I live. The mapping of landscapes with contour lines has always been a fascination for me, the wobbly nature of the lines as they describe a shape and the lack of uniformity particularly appeal.

I have always thought that jewellery design is a dialogue that involves what the wearer wants to say about themselves as much as what the designer/maker is saying about the function of jewellery. I like to work with non precious materials so that the consideration is of the artistic merit not the intrinsic value of a piece.

My aim is to create wearable pieces of art within the confines of the field of jewellery.

I am happy to work to specific requests and for more information you can contact me by email – rowenajewellery@gmail.com

Curriculum Vitae

Training.

• BA(HONS) Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics. Brighton Polytechnic 1979-82, specialising in metal and plastics.
• Foundation in Art and Design. Eastbourne Art College 1977-79.

Exhibitions

• “Desire” Richmond March 2011 and 2012
• “Handbags and Gladrags”, Taliesin Art Gallery,Swansea. Aug-Sept.2005
• “New Jewellery” Seldom Seen Gallery, Fort Lauderdale, USA. July-Sept.2004
• “Adornment” Artizana Gallery, Prestbury. Nov/Dec 2003
• “Zero Karat” American Craft Museum, New York, (catalogued), May-July 2002
• “European Contemporary Jewellery Triennial  Exhibition”, Chateau de Seneffe, Belgium, (catalogued), May/Sept.2002
• “Jewels for the Millennium” Lesley Craze Gallery, London. Sept/Oct 2000
• Showcase Exhibition. American Craft Museum, New York. Summer 1999.
• “Bubbleiscious”. Craftspace touring exhibition UK and Barcelona. (Cat.) April 1997- May 1998
• Showcase exhibition. Barbican Arts Centre, London. May 1997.
• “Fish” Hove Museum, East Sussex. July 1995.
• “Plastics” Maidstone Library Gallery and Museum. Dec- Jan 1994/5
• “Undercurrents” Touring exhibition NE England (Designer/Maker Network) March 1994/95
• “Ten Years Celebration”. Trits Gallery, Delft, Netherlands. September 1994.
• “New Makers”. Art Institute, Chicago. Mar/April 1994.
• “Rowena Park” Solo exhibition. Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton. May 1994.
• “Fantastic Plastic” Barbican Arts Centre, London. August 1993.
• Showcase exhibition. Guggenheim Museum, New York. July 1992.
• “Be My Valentine” Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool. Jan/Feb 1991.
• “Classic Plastic” The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh. (Catalogued) July/Aug 1990.
• “Objects of Desire” Brighton Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex. May 1990.
• “Dazzle Invites” Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow. (Catalogued) August 1989.
• “Fish” City Museum and Art Gallery, Portsmouth. Nov/Dec 1987.
• “Dazzle Invites” Edinburgh City Art Centre. (Catalogued) Nov/Dec 1986.
• “New Traditions” Jewellery from 1966 -1984. British Craft Centre, London. (Cat.) SepVOct 1985
• “Rowena Park – New Jewellery” Solo exhibition. Aspects Gallery, London. June/July 1984
• “Out In Front” Crafts Council Touring Exhibition. 1983/4.
• “Rings” Aspects Gallery, London, Willem Mattar Gallery, Cologne, Germany, Spectrum Gallery  Munich
• Germany. (Cat) Oct 1983 – Jan 1984.
• “The Jewellery Project” Crafts Council Gallery, London, (Cat.) April/June 1983.
• Passing Out” Goldsmiths Hall, London. (Selected Graduates Show). October 1982.
• “Jewellery Redefined” British Crafts Centre, London, (Touring exh. worldwide) June 1982/July 84.

Publications

• “Encyclopaedia of Jewellery Techniques” Jinks McGrath. Quintet Publications 1995.
• “Create Your Own Jewellery” Jo Moody. Quarto Publications 1994
• “The Art and Craft of Jewellery” Janet Fitch. Mitchell Beazley Publications. 1994.
• “Jewellery and Accessories” Juliet Bawden. Anness Publications 1994.
• “Basic Jewellery Making Techniques” Jinks McGrath. Quintet Publications 1994.

Awards and Grants.

• Goldsmiths Craft Council, London. Commendation Awarded for an Acrylic necklace 1995.
• S.E.Arts Training grant 1994.
• S.E. Arts Sponsored place at Chelsea Crafts Fair 1988.
• S.E. Arts Publicity grant 1988.

Selected Indexes.

• S.E. Arts 1987

Permanent Collections.

• Gaterie Ra, Amsterdam Sprung sphere and nylon twist bangles.
• Contemporary Art Society, London. Multicolour sprung sphere bangle.
• Malcolm and Sue Knapp Collection (The Jewellery Project) Titanium sprung sphere bangle.
• Kirklees Council – handling collection. Engraved, inlaid and painted fish earrings.
• Aberdeen City Gallery (contemporary art collection) Clear acrylic Fish brooches.

Trade and Craft Fairs.

• New York International Gift Fair. (Crafts Council Selected) 1996/98/99/2000
• Chelsea Crafts Fair, London- (Crafts Council Selected) 1988/89/90/91/93/94/98
• NEC International Spring Fair, Birmingham. 1994 – 2008
• Top Drawer, London. 1982/85/88/94/95/96/97/98/99/2000/01/ 9/10/11.
• British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate. 1988/89/97/98/99/2005/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13
• Edinburgh International Festival, Craft Tent, Princes Gardens, Edinburgh. 1988/89/90.
• Brighton International Festival. Open Houses 1996 – 2008

Stockists

Currently include Ruthin Craft Centre, Royal Exchange Manchester, Blackwell Arts and Crafts House, Oriel Mostyn Cardiff, and many others -Please contact me for full information.