Michelle Gauntlett thoroughly enjoys making sculptural forms and wearable art out of metal. She works with fine silver, copper and brass, hammering the metal into the desired shapes. Michelle’s large cuff bangles and wide rings are works of art with unique patinas and patterns, no two are ever the same. She believes in the connection that is passed on from the maker to the wearer/owner when items are hand made with passion. Michelle Gauntlett has created art all of her life, and continues to learn new techniques and ideas that further her knowledge of working with metal.

Enjoy Getting to know Michelle Gauntlett….

When did you first feel the desire to be artistic?

I have been making things with my hands all my life, exploring creating building up ideas so I guess that’s where my interest in “art” began.

What inspires you most?

The diversity of people and their ideas and the notion of a shared visual language. Patterns in nature

What message are you sending the viewer?

…a tactile experience shared through the marks and patinas in hand raised, formed and finished pieces

Describe your studio

It feels like a sanctuary…up high facing west with views of vast skies, it sits atop a large workshop which has been dug into the hill face behind the house….Beautiful light.

Describe your typical day of creating art?

In my home studio it involves choosing music, listing what’s next to work on, making sketches/ideas, thinking materials, checking what’s left to work with. Sometimes I rework pieces left on the shelf, push them further, or there may be a piece that I decide to develop in a different direction to see the effect.

What mediums do you use and why?

I love metal particularly copper and fine silver for forming because it’s soft and easier to hit. I use wood occasionally for beads or finials.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love getting feedback from people who want to hold the pieces then tell me it reminds them of pearl shell or a relic . I love that they are amazed how I can hammer these forms from a flat sheet of metal cause manipulating molecules this way amazes me.

Where can you see yourself in 10 years time?

Still making and still teaching how to make.

Artist Statement

Perth Artist Michelle Gauntlett creates unique organically shaped and patterned metal art in the form of jewellery, spoons, cups and sculptural shapes. She works mostly in fine silver, sterling silver and copper, hand working the flat metal into the desired form then finishing them with hand raised and rolled patterns and varying patinas. Michelle Gauntlett gets inspiration from the patterns in nature, and the diversity of people, their ideas, and the notion of a shared visual language creating a connection not otherwise possible.

“The alchemy of working in metal and the creative processes involved in making by hand are particularly important to me. I believe these hand wrought items to be like links connecting traditions with the maker and the wearer. In 2013 whilst working with Master Goldsmith Phillip Noakes at the Contemporary Metal Studio, my focus was on the techniques of hammering and raising forms in silver, copper and brass. These techniques are prominently used in my work and have been further developed over the years.” – Michelle Gauntlet.

Education

Western Australian Institute Technology – Foundation Design 1981
Carine TAFE – Diploma Visual Art – Drawing Textiles Jewellery 1985
Edith Cowan University – BA Visual Art & Craft – Printmaking Textiles & Jewellery 1991
ECU – Graduate Diploma of Education Art Specialist 2000
Central Tafe – Jewellery (part-time) 2008-2012
Contemporary Metal Studio – Hammering & Raising (Phillip Noakes) 2013
Dardanup Art Trail Jenni Doherty Studio Gallery, Ferguson Valley 2012
Art Extraordinaire Bunbury Catholic College September 2012
Salon D’Elan Group Show 464 Smartspace November 2012
Dardanup Art Trail Jenni Doherty Studio Gallery, Ferguson Valley 2013
Art to Where 464 SmartSpace Northbridge, 2013