A conversation with Janine Combes
Janine and Prisca discuss her Reaserch project for the Master of Fine Arts called 'Paper towns and abandoned places: contemporary jewellery and object responses to what we take, what we cast off and what could have been.'. The conversation continues by talking about her life experience as social worker, the houses she visited and the meaning of objects. Janine is a jeweller and she explain how her life experiences and her reaserch project are playing a role in her jewellery maker process (The jewelleries in the background’ video are Janine creations).
Janine Combes is a contemporary jeweller who works from an off-grid, solar powered studio on Bruny Island, off the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. She is also a Master of Fine Arts (Research) Candidate at the University of Tasmania. Janine’s research focuses on the objects left behind in abandoned human settlements and the meaning of these objects in terms of identity and connection to place. In this current project she is working with found objects and materials to explore ideas of preciousness- what we value and why? Combes comes to jewellery making from an earlier career as a Social Worker and consultant engaged in human services planning, research, evaluation, and community engagement, often in relation to built environments and public facilities. Since completing her technical skills training as a jeweller Combes has continued to refine her practice through arts residencies in Australia and overseas, and further studies in Italy, Bangkok, and North Vietnam. She exhibits her work within Tasmania and other parts of Australia in both solo and group exhibitions.
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[IT] Janine Combes è una gioielliera contemporanea che lavora in uno studio off-grid, alimentato a energia solare, a Bruny Island, al largo della costa orientale della Tasmania, in Australia. È anche candidata al Master of Fine Arts (Research) presso l'Università della Tasmania. La ricerca di Janine si concentra sugli oggetti lasciati negli insediamenti umani abbandonati e sul significato di questi oggetti in termini di identità e connessione al luogo. In questo periodo sta lavorando al progetto con oggetti e materiali trovati per esplorare l’idea di prezioso - cosa apprezziamo e perché? Combes arriva alla creazione di gioielli da una precedente carriera come assistente sociale e consulente impegnata nella pianificazione dei servizi umani, nella ricerca, nella valutazione e nell'impegno della comunità, spesso in relazione ad ambienti costruiti e strutture pubbliche. Da quando ha completato la sua formazione tecnica come gioielliere, Combes ha continuato a perfezionare la sua pratica attraverso residenze artistiche in Australia e all'estero, e ulteriori studi in Italia, Bangkok e Vietnam del Nord. Espone il suo lavoro in Tasmania e in altre parti dell'Australia in mostre personali e di gruppo.