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Dutch jewellery master in residence

27 July 2005

Renowned Dutch jeweller Paul Derrez is the latest participant in the 2005 Faculty of Art and Design Artist/Designer in Residence Program at the Caulfield campus.

Master jeweller and artist in residence Paul Derrez.

Mr Derrez lives in Amsterdam and is the director of Galerie Ra, which exhibits works by local and international jewellers.

Although initially interested in industrial design and drama studies, Mr Derrez trained as a goldsmith in the early 1970s at the Vakschool in Schoonhoven. In 1975, he went to Amsterdam to complete his practical training -- and never left the city.

Since establishing Galerie Ra in 1976, Mr Derrez has continued his work as a jeweller, despite the demands of running a gallery and hosting eight exhibitions a year.

In recent years, he has developed an interest in creating small objects with special significance. He favours silver but also works with aluminium and plastics.

"I am interested in objects such as silver spoons, bowls and rattles that relate to a particular moment, a place, a person or a memory," Mr Derrez said.

"Their preciousness adds to the ceremony and the importance of the role they play. There is also that connection with the past and the present.

"I also like promoting jewellery as a contemporary thing and something that can be linked to design and fashion."

Mr Derrez's work is held in public collections around the world, including the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the New Collection in Munich, Germany, and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney.

Monash metals and jewellery course coordinator Ms Marian Hosking said Mr Derrez had established an excellent rapport with contemporary jewellers in Australia, having visited the country five times and exhibiting Australian work at Galerie Ra for many years.

"Paul is a highly influential contemporary jewellery designer, and it's a great opportunity for Monash to have someone of his calibre and experience working in the metals studio," Ms Hosking said.

Mr Derrez will talk about his work with Galerie Ra on Wednesday 10 August at 12.30 pm at Caulfield campus, as part of the Lunchtime Art Forum series conducted by the Faculty of Art and Design. For details, visit the Lunchtime Art Forums website.