More about our Artists….. Jo Mollart-Highfield

Photography and Jewellery design are not normally two passions that you expect to see combined.  That is precisely what you get with my first collection which is currently on display and for sale at Ironbridge Fine Arts.

I had my first camera when I was about five and ever since it is rare to see me without my trusted friend, although I have had many different models since then.   I often use it to capture inspiration from the natural world that I can later use in a new jewellery design – nature provides some of the most interesting patterns.  I have more recently been experimenting with cameraless photography and the patterns that can be achieved are amazing.  You would be surprised how many different techniques you can use to create photographs without a camera.

One of these is a luminogram where an object is placed between photosensitive paper and the light source to create shadows.  This luminogram was produced in my darkroom by placing a sheet of glass sprayed with water between the light source and paper.  The image is then developed as you would any normal photograph.

So how does this link in to my current display at the gallery?  Etching is a wonderful technique that allows you to add pattern and texture to metals, including silver.   You can even recreate images from photographs.  This same luminogram of water droplets is even more interesting and abstract when transferred to silver.

This pendant is one of the items currently on sale at the gallery.  The luminogram of water droplets has been transferred to the silver.  The pattern has been highlighted with gold leaf to add a little sparkle because everyone loves a bit of sparkle.