Gavin Hitchings: UNFINISHED
A posthumously completed collection of Gavin Hitchings jewellery
Benjamin has long admired Gavin Hitchings, his work, and his process.
When asked by Gavin's wife, Jenny, to complete the works Gavin left behind after his passing in 2018, he was honoured to accept.
It is a privilege to be a small part of Hitchings' legacy through the completion of his final pieces. Hitchings spoke about "the power of time to transformation anything and everything"; an idea we have expressed through this posthumous exhibition.
Gavin Hitchings: UNFINISHED is a selection of brooches, pendants, rings and earrings from various periods throughout Hitchings jewellery career.
The series is available now for a limited time online or in-store at Benjamin Black Goldsmiths, 176 Bridge Street, Nelson.
The Power of Time.
Gavin Hitchings (1937-2018) brought to jewellery the mind of a scientist. As an entomologist he studied insects – their behaviour, the way they interact with the world and how we as humans coexist with them. As part of this he experimented, observed, researched and then repeated these processes all over again. He was a jeweller in much the same way. He meticulously planned his work, evolved forms within series, experimentations and that he continually revised and tested his ideas over time. His pieces were also informed and inspired by the natural world. Not insects, as one may expect, but geological features, coastal environments and time. But he also examined these forces through the lens of humanity - how do we translate our understanding of geology into built structures, how do we navigate oceans and how do we perceive time? What excited him was what we do not know, what is lost, and the power of time to transformation anything and everything.
Excerpt from ‘Gavin Hitchings: Stones of Unknowing’ Exhibition 2021 - Sarah McClintock, Suter Curator
Pictured: Stones of Unknowing, circa 2005
Reflections
A conversation with Gavin Hitchings
By Adam Sheffield
Contact us.
To find out more about any of the pieces exhibited, visit our studio:
Benjamin Black Goldsmiths - 176 Bridge Street, Nelson
+64 3 546 9137
studio@benjaminblack.co.nz