A recent series of work, by New Zealand jeweller Renee Bevan, goes by the boldly self-explanatory title of Blooming Big Brooches. One can confidently claim that Bevan is currently obsessed with flowers, “specifically the rose; its manufactured sentimentality, vast symbolism and its long-standing history in jewellery and adornment.” These brooches, soon to be exhibited at Inform Contemporary Jewellery in Christchurch, engage in a distinctive new conversation regarding dimension, subject and adornment. Renee Bevan is at the forefront of a new generation in Australasian jewelers. Having graduated in 2002, her work has been featured in a number of important exhibitions at institutional project spaces and dealer gallery’s over the past few years, culminating in her selection for the international jewellery exhibition, “Schmuck 2008”.
Image: “Bill Riley wearing Blooming Big Rose Brooch,” courtesy Renee Bevan
Matt Blomeley, 6 March 2009
A Bloc Carpentry Matt Blomeley 
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