2012 Year of the Dragon

The Cabin is about to see in its first Calendar Year. Australia is at last recognising its position in the bigger arena of South East Asia. The Chinese have been part of our history from the beginning of white settlement, and even then, the Chinese Dragon Dance was used to celebrate the start of spring, calling in the water and the rain for successful crops. The Dragon Dance in Melbourne has become a very big part of our multicultural community. The handmade dragon has its own history here. The story goes that when the local Chinese society wanted to acquire a new dragon costume they looked to China, but with 30 years of Communism, and the cultural revolution; the art of dragon making had disappeared. The Australian Chinese sent their old dragon costume back to China, where a nephew of a previous dragon maker took up the challenge, to renew the age old tradition. Under duress from the communist regime, he elected to use his food ration coupons to purchase the materials he required, so passionate was he about this undertaking. Now Melbourne has its new dragon and China are making the iconic costume again.  

The Watchman's Cabin 2012 is also celebrating the "handmade", breathing new life into the world of bespoke and artisanship. The global handcraft movement has gained momentum, propelled by uniquely skilled independent designers and artists, working laboriously and passionately, experimenting with techniques and materials, to produce high quality, modern, desirable, one-off objects of creation.

Enjoying great support at the Gasworks Arts Park, our space has been a source of surprise for many, introducing fresh ideas and individual works in metals, stone & glass, creating a loyal following for Janet, and an opportunity for her to educate people about the world of contemporary jewellery in Australia. Being in the space has allowed Paul the creative freedom to focus on his craft as a painter and illustrator, culminating in the successful execution of works large and small. 

This little glass and bakelite "watchman" is part of Janet's eclectic collection that goes back to her teens when she was already fascinated by sparkly, playful objects whose oddities far outweighed its practical function. It is actually a pepper shaker!

Part of Janet's range are these popular "stack"rings. Each one is individual, set with different shapes and coloured stones, or not. She uses this principal to breathe new life into those heirloom rings that people often have tucked away in a drawer somewhere, (having belonged to Grandma, mothers, aunties in another life!) waiting to be reinvented and relevant to todays aesthetic and the owners lifestyle. Each ring can be worn individually or with existing rings. They are usually stacked up with one or two plainer bands that have been textured by hand with a special file to show off the stones on the other bands. Using a combination of metals, such as yellow, white, rose gold or silver in different configurations, these rings are designed to suit the wearer's individuality and taste. They become the heirlooms for future generations.

A small iconic painting by Paul, purchased here in Australia, and now in a private collection in Canada.

It's one of many small studies of Italian 15-1600's paintings or sculpture; painted on timber as part of the ongoing fascination with all things Italian. This study is from one of his favourite places in Florence, the small Medici Chapel at the back of Saint Lorenzo.  The home of Brunelleschi and Buonarrotti, sculptor, painter, architect.