Catherine Chester's Jewellery is Now on Tour:

See the exhibition brochure here:

http://www.catherinechester.co.uk/media/LACi1011_Portfolio.pdf

Latest Keyhole Designs

Bracelet and Pendants made from found Brass Keyholes, vintage erotica photographs and Epoxy Resin

Cameos

These Cameos have been made from silver, some are oxidised to blacken them and to add to their antique charm. A glass oval keeps the photograph secure.

Publications: Mix Trends Magazine Feature

Recent and Upcoming Exhibitions

. Manchester School of Art Degree Show: 18th-23rd June 2010, Manchester School of Art.

Award Won: 'Wentworth's Graduate Award'. This award means that one of my designs will be put in to mass production by Wentworth Pewter Factory. I am currently working on a design that will be produced and on sale by Christmas.

. New Designers: Craft 1st-4th July 2010. Business Centre, Islington, London

www.newdesigners.com/page.cfm/link=39

. Crossings Student Exhibition- 19th-21st July 2010, West Dean College, Chichester. ACJ Event

The Association for Contemporary Jewellery's 2010 conference, curated by Kathie Murphy.

Guest Speakers: Wendy Ramshaw, David Watlinks, Robert Endorf, Cynthia Eid

www.klimt02.net/showcase/index.php?item_id=18195

. LACi Touring Show:

Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool, 2nd October-13th November 2010

http://www.grundyartgallery.com

Rossendale Museum, Lancashire, 15th January, 21st Febuary 2010

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/acs/sites/museums

Chapel Gallery, Omskirk, Lancashire, 5th March, 23rd April, 2010

http://www.chapelgallery.org.uk

. Diana Porter's Christmas Exhibition, Diana Porter Gallery, Bristol, November-January 2010

www.dianaporter.co.uk

"Peep At Me" Vintage Erotica Keyhole Brooch

Vintage Erotica Keyhole Necklaces

Photo-Etched Silver Ring

Eadweard Muybridge's 19th Century photography studies of the 'Body in Motion' inspired this ring. It is made from oxidised sterling silver and has been photo-etched. The photographs are from my own photography studies where I have replicated Muybridge's sequences.

Silver Leg Ring -Hand Cut

Embroidery Hoops

In the ‘Three Essays on Sexuality’, Freud outlines an ‘object of desire’; where a sexual attribute is assigned to a particular object (such as the shoe or an undergarment) or a body part (such as the foot or leg) in order to fulfill a subconscious desire.

By using lace alongside the voyeuristic image of the leg I aim to draw upon connotations of underwear. The embroidery hoop is intended to be an ironic juxtaposition of imagery. In its conventional context, an embroidery hoop is seen as a traditional and innocent object where as now it has become an object of desire. 

Leg Brooch-Pins

Water-jet cut brass and stainless steel brooch-pins. Each leg has been riveted together and can be repositioned by the wearer

Sterling Silver Earring -Hand Cut

Water-Jet Cut Brass Earrings

Stainless Steel Hoop Earrings

Water-jet cut stainless steel legs with brass tubing. Sterling silver earring hoops

Brass Leg Brooch -Hand Cut

Brass Legs Ring- Hand Cut

Peep Show Cameos

Vintage erotica photographs set in resin. Vintage lace

Water Jet Cut Leg Ring

Water-jet cut legs made from stainless steel and brass. Sterling silver ring base. Each leg can be repositioned individually to the wearer's desire.

Peep Show Magnifying Glass

This is a 'stitch-counter' which belonged to my great Grandmother. The plates fold out into a stand and when placed on a piece of fabric, the magnifying glass will allow you to count the stitches in the length of an inch.

I have modified the stitch-counter by adding a brass keyhole plate which allows the viewer to slide photographs underneath in order to be magnified. Similarly to the 'Pocket-Peeps' flicker-books, this can be carried around as a personal treasure and kept secret in the pocket.

I wonder what my Grandmother would have thought to my modifications!

Etched Flicker-Books

I have worked on creating my own images in the style of Eadweard Muybridge's photographs of the body in motion and have tried to capture the essence of motion whilst incorporating the Peep-Show imagery. This series of 'Pocket Peeps' is intended to be a 'personal treasure' carried close to the owner.

Peep At Me -Keyholes

I created these keyholes using Peep-Show photographs cast in resin. I have sourced antique brass escutcheons (keyhole covers) to try capture the vintage style of the Victorian Peep-Show images. 

What the Butler Saw- Fetish Peep Shows

I have begun to research Victorian Peep Shows and the voyeuristic imagery used involving fetishised women. I love the notion of 'spying' through peep-holes where the viewer is only exposed to a portion of the female body. This relates greatly to my interest in Freud's theories of 'fetishised' objects of the female body that have their own sexual presence even when separated from the body.

I intend to encourage both the viewer and the wearer to question prevailing attitudes towards the female body and aim for my jewellery to act as a tool or device for the wearer to make statements that they may not be able to make with their own bodies.

Fetish Jewellery

This is a selection that I have been working on in response to my initial research involving layering and repetition. I am greatly interested in psycological notions of human desire and Freuds theories of the 'Fetish', particularly with limbs, legs and underwear. By portraying the body in unconventional manors I aim to challenge the conventions of human desire and consider our subconscious urges. By abstracting the body I aim to encourage the viewer/wearer to reconsider the female body, its parts and its functions.