About Me

After graduating with a double diploma in 3D design and printmaking in Christchurch, I decided to focus on making jewellery. Warwick Freeman had recently expanded his Auckland studio, he accepted me to hire bench space. It was here my first body of exhibition work was developed over nine months during the day. Evenings and weekends, I worked full time to afford materials and rent.

Returning to Christchurch, Creative New Zealand accepted me as a new emerging artist and provided a small grant to assist me buying tools. This allowed me to continue developing my work, and in turn the my first of many solo exhibitions and invitations to exhibit in group shows. Fingers Contemporary Jewellery Gallery, and AVID Gallery accepted my work in 1992. This led to invited exhibitions at COCA, Gallery IO in New Orleans and an acceptance at Scmuchscene in Munich, the third New Zealander to do so. Auckland museum chose several piece of my work for  permanent collection. At this time, I was mostly known for my rose buds in cages and work on reconciliation of bereavement.

Pushing myself further, I applied for a second grant allowing me to be Artist in Residence in Avarua, Rarotonga. This resulted in my Pacific Pearl Project which toured Nationally and Internationally. It allowed me the luxury of being 100% devoted to my work for three solid months and release me from my full time work commitments. It was around this time I started playing and experimenting with glass. My Glass Garden Necklace was purchased by the Dowse Art Museum and I was a finalist in the Molly Morpeth Competition.

Increasingly, it was exhausting. I committed to myself making my own designs full time, decided never to apply for grants and completely withdrew from exhibition openings.

I am, and have always been a committed maker since childhood. To date, I have exhibited solo and in group shows over 100 times both Nationally and Internationally. Every single piece is handmade by me, and I cannot tell you how many one off pieces I have made, but it is in abundance of 4000. I can easily tell you however, I love making jewellery. The simple joy of making a bespoke piece is unequalled.

Outside of making, I gained my second degree blackbelt in Kempo. When possible, I free dive, take underwater photography and spearfish. To tame my fear of heights and curb vertigo, I became a paraglider pilot.

Simply being in, and amongst nature is my joyful place.