Rachael Colley awarded with the Grand Prix at 2019 ITAMI International Craft Exhibition

As a result of such effort, the recognition of ITAMI = jewellery is now widely spread not only in Japan but also abroad where we received 1,132 pieces of works from 339 artists including 138 applicants from 19 countries abroad for the ITAMI International Jewellery Exhibition this time, resulting to 97 selected artists out of which 8 had received prizes after strict examination.

Among those from diverse backgrounds, the works awarded with prizes as well as those selected demonstrate careful consideration towards the relationship with body, nature and social environment. Not to mention that they posses of beauty as jewellery to adorn the body, the manners in which they stimulate the human five senses inspired by the ordinary daily lives are flooded with noteworthy uniqueness, and it is the very point that we the museum highly appreciate as examination criteria.

Especially, the Grand Prix work of Rachael Colley got high reputation. It was her second participation, and her first entry work in 2017 Vanitas series, M(eat) et al collection also got Award for Promising Talent. This was a series of brooches which were designed to refer traditional themes found in the genre of still life painting. These reminded the wearer of the problem awareness by re-creating jewellery out of the waste food materials and posed a problem about our destiny, pleasure, and so on. What we wearers were most impressed and amazed was the fact that we wear peeled vegetables’ skin. They are just next to our humans’ skin.

As her previous work left us such an impression, this time we were looking forward to her new pieces, which must be exciting and beautiful. 

Of course, she didn’t betray us to show her excellent Sha-Green. As an alternative to the traditionally animal-based luxurious decorative surface, food waste was presented. We find intelligence in the combination of metal frame and delicate texture of carefully engraved citrus peel. Moreover, it’s fascinating when it is warmed by our body it emits a subtle fruity fragrance.

The juries also admired her work because it consisted of expression, utility, and skill with good uses of materials, concepts and skilled craftsmanship.

We would like many people to see and enjoy her attractive jewellery that makes shape something spiritual or thought.


About the awarded collection:
Sha-Green series presents food waste, in the form of discarded citrus fruit peel, as a sustainable, biodegradable, vegan alternative to the traditionally animal-based luxurious decorative surface known as shagreen (ray or shark skin). This scented material comes alive when worn, as it is warmed by the body it emits a subtle fruity fragrance. The jewellery's limited lifespan highlights the fleeting and complex nature of human existence and the passing of time, suggesting the ultimate end that conventional jewellery circumvents through its endurance.