'Blossom' necklace by Joungmee Do
Object No. 2013/81/1
This necklace, titled 'Blossom', designed and made by Joungmee Do (b.1966), is a fine example of contemporary Australian jewellery, demonstrating Do's highly refined metalworking techniques. Do, who was born in Korea and migrated to Australia in 1997, is one of only a few jewellers worldwide proficient in the traditional Korean metal techniques of 'jjoeumipsa (metal inlay)', which she spent some years perfecting under the tutelage of the Korean master Kyo Joon Choi. Do studied at Kookmin University in Korea and later attained her Master of Fine Arts in the Gold and Silversmithing Department of RMIT University, Melbourne. Do's works are a subtle fusion of her traditional Korean heritage and contemporary Australian way of life. She uses the flower motif as a symbol of positive meaning in her works. Traditionally, Koreans favoured using the ten longevity symbols in jewellery making: the sun, mountains, water, clouds, rocks, pine trees, mushroom of immortality, turtles, cranes and deer. Do uses these longevity motifs together with a flower motif in her works. In this way, she expresses her good wishes for the wearers in the same ways as traditional Korean jeweller did in the past. In addition, 'Blossom' complements the existing collection of earlier Do works: a pair of covered rice bowls (2012/40/1-2) and a set of brooches (2001/40-1-3). Min-Jung Kim Curator, Asian Arts & Design July 2013
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Summary
Object Statement
Necklace, 'Blossom', sterling silver / silver / gold / steel, designed and made by Joungmee Do, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2011
Physical Description
Necklace consisting of a shield shaped pendant suspended from steel and silver chain of fourteen elongated links. Four of the links are steel and decorated with a flower motif in the middle of each pair. Chain attaches at upper right and left of pendant. Pendant features raised black and gold openwork flower and leaf motifs in front of a gold background which has been mounted on black steel. Surface of both the flowers and gold background display the metalworking technique of 'jjoeumipsa' or chiselled inlay, giving a crosshatched effect to the surfaces. Necklace secures with spring ring clasp at centre back.
DIMENSIONS
Height
350 mm
Width
75 mm
Depth
15 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Made by Joungmee Do (b. 1966). Do uses a traditional Korean metal working technique called 'jjoeumipsa (chiselled inlay)' to create innovative and contemporary designs. 'Jjoeumipsa' involves chiselling the entire surface of the body of the work before inlaying it with silver or gold wire as decoration. The surface is chiselled four times in different directions; horizontal, vertical, and diagonally in both directions. Silver wire is 'sewn' into the chiselled surface using a small hammer. The tracery of chiselling on the surface gives a beautiful texture and the decoration of silver wire looks like embroidery. The technique is labour intensive, and the chiselling must reflect the fineness of the silver wire to be used in the work.
HISTORY
Notes
This necklace was presented at the Joungmee Do's solo exhibition titled 'Longevity' at the e.g.etal gallery, Melbourne in June 2011.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased with funds from the Yasuko Myer Bequest, 2013
Acquisition Date
19 September 2013
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