Joy of fabrics, jewels comes to Casey

DIGITAL photography and exquisite jewellery feature prominently in the current exhibitions in the City of Casey’s Civic Centre Art Space.
On display until 27 April at the Narre Warren council offices in Magid Drive, the exhibitions showcase the work of photographic artist Caroline Holmes and jewellery by Kay Sawatzky and contemporary jewellery art group Bejewelled.
Soie Vierge, meaning raw silk in French, is an exhibition by Caroline Holmes that looks at the way women indulge in fabric.
“There is something about the way it makes you feel, the indulgence and intense nature of the beautiful colours and textures seems almost untouchable, but yet it is touchable,” Ms Holmes said.
Ms Holmes’ series of photographs have been printed on German watercolour paper using the latest in digital technology. These high quality prints are cutting edge and blur the once black and white lines of painting and photography.
Ms Holmes recently graduated from the Photography Studies College, where she majored in Fine Art Photography.
Exhibited alongside Soie Vierge is an exhibition of jewellery — Precious Reflections by contemporary jewellery artists Bejewelled and independent jeweller-goldsmith Kay Sawat-zky.
Precious Reflections combines Ms Sawatzky’s specialised skill of creating replicas of old, timeless jewellery with her flair to create modern pieces.
With over 20 years of work behind her, Ms Sawatzky has won many awards.
She is a member of the Gold and Silversmiths Guild of Australia, which allows her to stamp her pieces with the Guild mark to identify them as antiques of the future.
The exhibition features a diverse array of Ms Sawatzky jewellery, including rings, brooches and bracelets using 9ct, 14ct, 18ct gold and many coloured gemstones.
Precious Reflections also features the work of Bejewelled, a group of seven contemporary jewellery artists: Elaine Jordan, Eva Scheer, Heather Manley, Helen Cameron, Lyn Forrest, Marianna Hinch and Tereza Matas, who work out of the Burrinja Gallery in the Dandenong Ranges.