Phillipa Gee

Bio

Phillipa Gee is an Auckland NZ-based jeweller, completed a BA in Fine Art (Gold and Silversmithing) from RMIT University (1991), Melbourne, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Art from Whitireia NZ (2016).

Her work has been exhibited in New Zealand and internationally, including Familiar in the Foreign (Munich, 2025), Profile (Sydney, 2025), and her solo exhibition SPLINK (Wellington and Auckland, 2025). In 2024, The Dowse Art Museum acquired a piece from her Spool series for its permanent collection. As a former gallery director of QUOIL Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, Phillipa continues to explore material transformation, display, and the expressive potential of contemporary adornment.

Statement

I am a jewellery artist from New Zealand working in an explorative and intuitive way, using a wide range of materials and techniques to push the boundaries of what jewellery can be. Through direct, hands-on making, I discover new possibilities that extend my knowledge and often lead me in unexpected directions. I value this process of discovery and creativity, seeing technical challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for innovation and problem-solving.

During my studies at RMIT Melbourne, and Whitireia NZ, I was encouraged to explore widely and to consider how jewellery and body adornment can be redefined through diverse materials and approaches. This spirit continues to guide my work. I am drawn to materials such as rubber, aluminium, Perspex and Plastidip—each chosen for its potential to surprise. Techniques like cloisonné enamelling allow me to introduce colour and graphics, expanding the expressive language of my work.

I am fascinated by the inherent qualities of materials—their strengths, limitations, and unexpected behaviours. My jewellery tends to be bold and sculptural, often colourful or textured, while maintaining a strong sense of wearability and craftsmanship.

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