07 June 2011
Gold, bold and beautiful: Padua and its Jewellery School
A superb exhibition of contemporary Italian jewellery will dazzle the public when Gioiellid'Autore. Padova e la Scuoladell'oro (Contemporary Jewellery. Padua and its Jewellery School) opens on 17 June at RMIT Gallery.
Stefano Marchetti, Collana, 2004-2007, Necklace
World-renowned for their extensive use of precious metals, the Padua jewellery school has been at the forefront of contemporary jewellery since the 1950s.
Together with the Italian Institute of Culture, Melbourne, RMIT Gallery is proud to present this exhibition which showcases the worldwide impact Italian designers have made in contemporary jewellery.
Curated by the City of Padua, Gioiellid'Autore. Padova e la Scuola dell'oro features more than 150 works by 16 of the Padua jewellery school’s internationally acclaimed Italian jewellers.
RMIT Gallery Director Suzanne Davies said audiences would be captivated by the stunning array of works, many of which were lent by major European museums.
"Each work on display in the exhibition is a masterpiece of ingenuity and creativity," Ms Davies said.
"This exhibition reveals the strong links between tradition and innovation and the hundreds of years of skill, thinking and refinement in Italian art that have influenced the Padovae la Scuoladell'oro."
Mark Edgoose, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies (Gold and Silversmithing), in RMIT’s School of Art, said the exhibition was a perfect fit for Melbourne as the teaching of gold and silversmithing was in the University’s blood.
"RMIT University is recognised as one of the main academies training gold and silversmiths worldwide," Mr Edgoose said.
"Professionally there have been exhibitions, artists' workshops, student exchanges, residencies and conferences that have all contributed to the mutual respect and dialogue between Australian and international jewellers, and the exhibition Padova e la Scuoladell'oro at RMIT Gallery continues this international dialogue that Australian jewellers have with Europe."
Gioiellid'Autore. Padova e la Scuoladell'oro traces the history and creative development of artists whose innovative jewellery designs and education philosophy led to the creation of the celebrated Padua jewellery school.
The exhibition follows the artistic paths of venerated jewellers Mario Pinton and Francesco Pavan, and their students, who have in turn become important names in the artistic world: Giorgio Cecchetto, Lucia Davanzo, Maria Rosa Franzin, Stefano Marchetti, Paolo Marcolongo, Paolo Maurizio, Barbara Paganin, Renzo Pasquale, Piergiuliano Reveane, Marco Rigovacca, Graziano Visintin, Alberta Vita, Annamaria Zanella and Alberto Zorzi.
Italian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Senator Alfredo Mantica, will officially open the exhibition at RMIT Gallery on 22 June, in the presence of Gian Ludovico de Martino di Montegiordano, Ambassador of Italy to Australia.
Director of the Italian Institute of Culture, Melbourne, Dr Stefano Fossati, said: "Italian creativity is world-famous for its ability to combine aesthetics with a passion for life and this is particularly visible in this exhibition.
"The Padua jewellery school is one of the most active and creative in the contemporary international scene and in this broad selection of works we can see the complex and ancient art of jewellery revised according to the latest technologies and modern aesthetics."
Jewellers Alberta Vita and Lucia Davanzo are travelling from Padua for the exhibition events and are available for interview.
They will take part in a jewellery seminar chaired by Mark Edgoose and presented by The EU Centre at RMIT and RMIT Gallery on 24 June, along with Melbourne jewellers Elfrun Lach and Teresa Lane.
Information for Arts Listings
What:Gioiellid'Autore. Padova e la Scuoladell'oro
When: 17 June-14 August
Where: RMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Public Programs
What: Italian jewellers Alberta Vita and Lucia Davanzo speaking about the Padua jewellery school
When: Friday, 17 June, 12pm-1pm
Where: RMIT Gallery
Cost: Free
What: Jewellery in Europe and Australia: Alberta Vita and Lucia Davanzo in conversation with Melbourne jewellers Elfrun Lach and Teresa Lane
When: Friday, 24 June, 10.30 am-12 noon (includes Italian morning tea)
Where: Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Level 7, RMIT Storey Hall, RMIT Building 16, cnr Swanston and Latrobe streets, Melbourne
Cost: Free
Bookings: Essential on (03) 9925 1717 or rmit.gallery@rmit.edu.au
For interviews and images contact: RMIT Gallery Media Coordinator, Evelyn Tsitas, (03) 9925 1716, 0418 139 015 or evelyn.tsitas@rmit.edu.au.
