Linked by Carlier Makigawa in Manuka
Exhibition
/
31 Jan 2020
-
29 Feb 2020
Published: 22.01.2020
Bilk Gallery
- Mail:
- gallery
bilk.com.au
- Phone:
- +61 (0) 2 61622761
- Management:
- Helen Aitken-Kuhnen, Johannes Kuhnen, Mio Kuhnen
Necklace: 192, 2020
Silver, niobium.
L: 66 cm
Photo by: Kik Gollings
© By the author. Read Klimt02.net Copyright.
We are familiar with the iconic images of Carlier's jewellery, the theatrical balance between her constructions and the body in a dialogue of reciprocal definition. Judith O'Callaghan described this as "one of the most consistent features of Makigawa's work ... an insistence on formal definition...a balance between frame and content." In these new pieces the works have become flexible frames for the figure in motion, no longer poised balance but fluid play between the human form and shifting shapes.
/ Helen Britton
Artist list
Carlier Makigawa
This exhibition combines work from her Delirious In Uzbekistan collection and pieces never exhibited in Australia before. Carlier had one of the first exhibitions at Bilk Gallery twenty years ago, so it is wonderful to have our last show in Manuka with her.
/ Bilk Gallery
Delirious In Uzbekistan
What does it take to make new work? Really new work? The courage of course and some kind of trigger. A journey, a risk, unrest. Perhaps the patience to wait until circumstances are right, and the experience to know that only then the starting point appears, opening a labyrinth of surprise. That surge of recognition as the path unfolds and then it is as though the work makes itself and one simply observes and facilitates this progression.
In 1993 Jenny Zimmer wrote, reflecting then on over a decade of Carlier's practice, "Makigawa belongs to an electronically attuned, multimedia, post-modern technological, theoretically complex age. She is free to span both backwards and forwards.." Carlier's practice now spans four decades and for this very new work she has reached far back in time to take an ancient technique and recreate it in this very moment and make it her own, a gesture thrilling to watch. In 2003 Ted Snell wrote "The work in this show is an affirmation of an artist pushing at the boundaries of her own practice and in the process finding new confidence to develop ideas and forms that carry meaning that is both highly personal and concurrently accessible to a wider audience" This remarkable Australian Artist reveals for her pleasure and ours the brilliant flexibility of the creative mind on its mysterious journey once the constellation of beginnings is right. This new work also reveals pushing the boundaries as a strategy of this artists practice, travelling to the unknown and returning full of the rich nourishment of inspiration.
We are familiar with the iconic images of Carlier's jewellery, the theatrical balance between her constructions and the body in a dialogue of reciprocal definition. Judith O'Callaghan described this as "one of the most consistent features of Makigawa's work ... an insistence on formal definition...a balance between frame and content." In these new pieces the works have become flexible frames for the figure in motion, no longer poised balance but fluid play between the human form and shifting shapes. Previous works with their structural tenacity, frames delineated and vibrating with exactitude have now collapsed. There is still structure, but it is a loosened and flowing system. Closer investigation reveals pockets and seams of colour in the mesh, along with fragments of former constructions. We find a crucial link in logic to a lifelong interest in precision in the names of the works, "709", "491" indicating the exact number of rings in the piece, all coiled by hand, carefully counted, linked and no stitch slipped. Though the technique is old, the material language is contemporary, and one that Carlier is fluent in: monel, niobium, silver, paint, materials chosen for their specific qualities in providing the best possible technical solution.
This is a brilliant shift in Carlier Makigawa's work, away from what Anne Brennan wrote of then as a"focus on frameworks themselves, allowing the beautiful precision of the wire to articulate three-dimensional spatial drawings on the body" Those wires have rolled and coiled and become links and structure has become this intricate, sinuous mesh, with its roots in armour and protection, traded as a value along the ancient silk road, far back in time. Hints of this history can be found in mysterious, shimmering blues snuggling a variety of friendly greys, quiet strong bonds between colours that make the mesh look old and new. Visually these works span time and acknowledge an interest in treasuring what we have learned to make. Most importantly our impulse is to touch them. Collapsing like water, flowing over the human form, a delirious visual and tactile stream of enjoyment for Carlier and for us all.
/ Helen Britton 2019, Adjunct Professor at RMIT
A catalogue and price list is available upon request via email gallery@bilk.com.au.
/ Bilk Gallery
Delirious In Uzbekistan
What does it take to make new work? Really new work? The courage of course and some kind of trigger. A journey, a risk, unrest. Perhaps the patience to wait until circumstances are right, and the experience to know that only then the starting point appears, opening a labyrinth of surprise. That surge of recognition as the path unfolds and then it is as though the work makes itself and one simply observes and facilitates this progression.
In 1993 Jenny Zimmer wrote, reflecting then on over a decade of Carlier's practice, "Makigawa belongs to an electronically attuned, multimedia, post-modern technological, theoretically complex age. She is free to span both backwards and forwards.." Carlier's practice now spans four decades and for this very new work she has reached far back in time to take an ancient technique and recreate it in this very moment and make it her own, a gesture thrilling to watch. In 2003 Ted Snell wrote "The work in this show is an affirmation of an artist pushing at the boundaries of her own practice and in the process finding new confidence to develop ideas and forms that carry meaning that is both highly personal and concurrently accessible to a wider audience" This remarkable Australian Artist reveals for her pleasure and ours the brilliant flexibility of the creative mind on its mysterious journey once the constellation of beginnings is right. This new work also reveals pushing the boundaries as a strategy of this artists practice, travelling to the unknown and returning full of the rich nourishment of inspiration.
We are familiar with the iconic images of Carlier's jewellery, the theatrical balance between her constructions and the body in a dialogue of reciprocal definition. Judith O'Callaghan described this as "one of the most consistent features of Makigawa's work ... an insistence on formal definition...a balance between frame and content." In these new pieces the works have become flexible frames for the figure in motion, no longer poised balance but fluid play between the human form and shifting shapes. Previous works with their structural tenacity, frames delineated and vibrating with exactitude have now collapsed. There is still structure, but it is a loosened and flowing system. Closer investigation reveals pockets and seams of colour in the mesh, along with fragments of former constructions. We find a crucial link in logic to a lifelong interest in precision in the names of the works, "709", "491" indicating the exact number of rings in the piece, all coiled by hand, carefully counted, linked and no stitch slipped. Though the technique is old, the material language is contemporary, and one that Carlier is fluent in: monel, niobium, silver, paint, materials chosen for their specific qualities in providing the best possible technical solution.
This is a brilliant shift in Carlier Makigawa's work, away from what Anne Brennan wrote of then as a"focus on frameworks themselves, allowing the beautiful precision of the wire to articulate three-dimensional spatial drawings on the body" Those wires have rolled and coiled and become links and structure has become this intricate, sinuous mesh, with its roots in armour and protection, traded as a value along the ancient silk road, far back in time. Hints of this history can be found in mysterious, shimmering blues snuggling a variety of friendly greys, quiet strong bonds between colours that make the mesh look old and new. Visually these works span time and acknowledge an interest in treasuring what we have learned to make. Most importantly our impulse is to touch them. Collapsing like water, flowing over the human form, a delirious visual and tactile stream of enjoyment for Carlier and for us all.
/ Helen Britton 2019, Adjunct Professor at RMIT
A catalogue and price list is available upon request via email gallery@bilk.com.au.
Bilk Gallery
- Mail:
- gallerybilk.com.au
- Phone:
- +61 (0) 2 61622761
- Management:
- Helen Aitken-Kuhnen, Johannes Kuhnen, Mio Kuhnen
newsletter
Get the latest information about the international Jewellery Scene sent directly to your mailbox every week. View previous issues
-
Materia prima, design as transformation
15May2027 - 27Feb2028
Pforzheim Jewellery Museum
Pforzheim, Germany -
The Void as an Affinity
25Nov2026 - 29Dec2026
Hannah Gallery
Barcelona, Spain -
Feathers, Frost and Fantastic Creatures
25Nov2026 - 30Dec2026
Galerie Handwerk
Munich, Germany -
Slow Matter during New York Jewelry Week 2026
18Nov2026 - 22Nov2026
Fou Gallery NY
New York, United States -
Crown Jewels as a Metaphor during New York Jewelry Week 2026
17Nov2026 - 22Nov2026
On the Fringe NYC
New York, United States -
Hand to Form. An Art To Wear Exhibition during New York Jewelry Week 2026
16Nov2026 - 22Nov2026
Turkish House
New York, United States -
Between Heaven and Hell by Sofia Björkman
14Nov2026 - 05Dec2026
Four Gallery
Umeå, Sweden -
Tincal lab Challenge 2026. Jewelry and Identity
14Nov2026 - 31Dec2026
Tincal lab
Porto, Portugal -
Laboratorium with Kim Buck
13Nov2026 - 09May2027
Design Museum Danmark
Copenhagen, Denmark -
Fireworks in the Rain
12Nov2026 - 16Jan2027
Pistachios Contemporary Art Jewelry
Chicago, United States -
WeerWerk by Ria Lins and Els Vansteelandt
12Nov2026 - 14Nov2026
Els Vansteelandt Contemporary Jewellery & objets d'art
Brussels, Belgium -
VONMO 5th Contemporary Jewelry Exhibition 2026: Seeding
09Nov2026 - 20Nov2026
Hengtong International Creative Park
Beijing, China -
Preziosa Young 2026 in Asolo
07Nov2026 - 29Nov2026
Thereza Pedrosa Gallery
Asolo, Italy -
Arnoldsche Weekend Art Gallery #19
06Nov2026 - 08Nov2026
Galerie AK2
Stuttgart, Germany -
Delicate Creatures by Märta Mattsson and Sona Kobanova
06Nov2026 - 06Dec2026
Atelier Martina Dempf in der Remise
Berlin, Germany
