Attention: indie art & design is taking a short break until mid-June 2024. During this time orders will not be taken but we look forward to seeing all of our valued and future customers very soon!

indie art & design blog

clouds & silver tears

Friday, April 08, 2011 | by Carolyn Price

Enamelware and Pearl Ring by Naoko Inuzuka

Eggs of silver encasing sprigs of cast foliage, enamel zeppelins, layered clouds with cascading silver tears . . . just a few of the wearable designs from Melbourne jeweller Naoko Inuzuka. An RMIT Gold and Silversmithing graduate, Naoko handcrafts her intricate one-off pieces in her CBD-based studio. Her creations feature silver, copper, enamel, pearls, stainless steel and silk which she interlinks with personal memory.

Floating vehicles, such as zepplins and hot air balloons, feature regularly in Naoko's designs. They represent the physical detachment from a place, travelling from one home to another, living in the 'in between'. Clouds are also a common theme in her work and interpretation. 'Clouds are visible to everyone and they connect us all, no matter what part of the world we live.' Naoko successfully conveys a story by embedding her personal journey into her pieces rather than focusing on design alone.

Saturation by Naoko Inuzuka
Saturation is her latest piece from the 'In Between' collection and features over 20 hand-cut, paper-thin silver tears suspended from stormy, enamel clouds - the hinged tears create a gentle movement in the way they fall. There's an underlying sadness in the beauty of this piece.

Tree Egg by Naoko Inuzuka

Naoko has recently moved from her studio to RMIT where she is undertaking a 2011 Residency. Her jewellery is available at Craft Victoria, Black Finch and by appointment. Naoko is also available for custom work.

Craft Victoria - 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Black Finch - 110 High St, Northcote
For studio appointments and custom queries, contact Naoko via email.

All photographs by Emma Starr

REGISTER to comment.