Contemporary jewelry, an example from a successful artist

Contemporary jewelry is based upon creative observation and the mastery of techniques. Contemporary jewelry often demonstrates a sculptural means of expression that can be abstract or figurative.

We are honored to present the work of Christine Pyman.

Christine has created beautiful contemporary jewelry by developing a unique style. She has taken elements from her background as a graphic designer and expresses them through her rigorous training as a jeweler.

Christine Pyman, a joyous approach to jewelry making

In Christine’s words for www.sculptor.org: “the excitement, pleasure, humor or poignancy of my surroundings, whether actual or intellectual, I express in my work”.

To the right you can see one of my favorites: "Cat Dreaming"

Christine was selected exhibitor for The Munich International Craft Fair, Germany, and The Australia-Korea Foundation's 10th Anniversary Festival in Seoul. She has won a Commendation from the Design Institute of Australia, and has exhibited widely throughout Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA.

Christine is a great example of figurative jewelry, although I should not fix any tag to her work.

The joyous woman collection demonstrates the sheer quality of workmanship and the designer’s eye for good pattern and composition.

Christine Pyman in her own words

I always feel that this "joyous explosion" that I try to show in my pieces will pass on to the wearers, with the act of wearing the brooches being a confirmation of the right to be joyous”.

Christine’s work is an excellent example of innovation, good modeling and composition in figurative jewelry. To the left is the "Fun in the city brooch".

When doing figurative jewelry it is easy to fall into cuteness.

With figurative work the chances of getting away with arbitrary decisions is much more difficult than when doing abstract jewelry.

Christine: thank you for sharing your work!

"Wow- Cecilia that's wonderful, thank you so much for a lovely and insightful view of my work, it is always so good when someone "gets it" :-) Just one small thing, the Fun in the City piece is a brooch on a wall mount, the sliding figure detaches from the larger house so she can be worn, then replaced on the hanging piece so the whole thing is permanently on display on your wall rather than tucked away in a jewellery box." E-mail from Christine Pyman, Australia.

Fantasies such as the “joyous explosion” on which Christine inspires herself provide entertaining ornament.

Image being the language of figurative jewelry gives the wearer something to get to grips with immediately, to find meaning easily.

However, she wisely avoids any allusion to “life-like” images in her designs.

Everyday life captured in precious metals

All these clearly express the designer’s philosophy about life as the basis of her contemporary jewelry.

It reminds me of Marc Chagall’s paintings, don’t you agree?

Flying animals, instruments and people in his fantastic art matching his wild thoughts about popular culture and childhood imagery resonates with Christine’s work, but that’s just my personal opinion...

On the left a crazy "Baloon Cat".

Christine Pyman’s contemporary jewelry is filled with enthusiasm and love of life.

You can see more of her wonderful work at her website: www.ChristinePyman.com.au

For an abstract example of contemporary jewelry, have a look at this whole-hearted Mexican designer, a true studio jeweler in all the sense of the word.

Go from Contemporary Jewelry back to Jewelry Designer.