'Fabulous Jewellery & Animal Magic'

Christmas Exhibition Fabulous Jewellery and

Animal Magic

Christmas at Designs Gallery this year is inspired by the natural world, from pea pod jewellery to amusing animal automata, brilliantly observed, quirky cermamic birds to a leaping hare with a golden heart. There are pieces to inspire the imagination, delight the eye and warm the heart.

Each, a unique Christmas gift. Prices start at ÂŁ30 upwards.

Fabulous Jewellery

Alex Monroe

Bill Skiunner

Alex Monroe: Duke of Burgandy Butterfly, green amethyst and 22 carrot gold.

Bill Skinner: Gold beetle broach.

And Mary

Xuella Arnold

And Mary, Hand painted porcelain running fox Xuella Arnold, sterling silver leaping hare with a gilded heart,

Rie Tanabe

Melanie Tomlinson

Rea Tanabe, gold and mother of pearl stud earings.

Melanie Tomlinson, irridescnent beetle broaches, prnted tin steel.

Michael Michaud

Pea pod earings and necklace, cast in bronze with freshwater pearls

Animal Magic

Susan O’Byrne

Susan is a celebrated artists working from her ceramics studio in Glasgow. She uses the animal form as a vehicle to express human emotions.

Susan is interested in the function and history of animal imagery – its presence in childhood imaginations and its use in storytelling, legends and folklore to simplify the complexities of adult life.

Broadbill Zebra Finch Red-headed Finch

Susan R. Evans

‘I see my toy-making as a continuous developing investigation into the thrill of creating new pieces and developing pieces for all ages which are playful and tell their own stories.’

‘I use all kinds of wood, much of it recycled, and driftwood.’

Susan Halls

‘My obsession with animals and animal imagery has been more or less constant since my childhood so it is beyond doubt that they should be the dominant subject in my work.

All ceramic techniques interest me and I exploit them all! Techniques have a distinct voice and I try to impart their language while at the same time not letting that voice dominate.

The image is the priority. Raku and smoke firing are my primary means of finishing.

These primitive ways of colouring and the dry, dirty antiquing that comes from them lend themselves perfectly to my animal subject.’

Sarah Jane Brown

Back by popular demand, Jane’s witty animal sculptures never cease to amuse. Each body part is

formed from knitted wire and recycled tin and is stitched together, the embellishments of collar, whiskers, a little bird, are added as the final touches.

Henrik Dybdahl

‘I am a heritage adventurer.

I browse through hundreds of amazing collections at libraries, museums and archives around the world.’

For more information or to order from Designs Gallery, please contact us

Designs, Gallery and CafÊ 179 King St, Castle Douglas DG7 1DZ Open Monday - Saturday 9:30am–5pm 01556 504552 web@designsgallery.co.uk www.designsgallery.co.uk