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Canberra Today 25°/28° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Endangered Thai jewellery on show

A traditional Khmer jeweller from Khwao Sinarin, Thailand and  a contemporary jeweller from Bangkok, are the focus of an unusual exhibition that opened at the Canberra Grammar School Gallery last night.

Takao Necklace, Fine Silver
Takao Necklace, Fine Silver

Scholar and jewellery-maker Gill Lumsden, who also has work on show, has been researching the question of safeguarding the knowledge of  traditional Khmer jewellery design and construction that has been handed down through the generations and fears this knowledge will die with them.

Puan Jiewthong

Puan Jiewthong is one of the remaining jewellers that is the guardian of this knowledge and his work will be on exhibition alongside that of other jewellers.

Gill Lumsden Jayavarman V11 Bracelet, 925 Silver
Gill Lumsden Jayavarman V11 Bracelet, 925 Silver

The Grammar connection is that the school has Thai students, supports Thai programs and has undertaken numerous community service projects in Thailand.

While the exhibition will focus on the work created by traditional jewellers who have acquired their knowledge from their ancestors, it will also features the work of two contemporary jewellers, Siri Muenprasan from Khwao Sinarin, who use traditional jewellery in a new and innovative way and Taweesak Molsawat who has responded to traditional jewellery through a more academic approach. As many artisans are in their seventies, the skill is at risk of vanishing forever.

Presentations and workshops will be given by Puan Jiewthong and Taweesak Molsawat to various groups such Thai Language Studies at ANU, the Gold and Silver Workshop and Art Forum at ANU. Puan and Taweesak will also undertake a three week artist-in-residence program in the Gold and Silver Workshop at the ANU.

‘The Past, The Now and the Future of Thai Jewellery’, at Canberra Grammar School Gallery, Monaro Cresc Red Hill, until March 26, weekdays 10-4, Saturdays 11-4. Free.

Saturday-Sunday, 9-4pm, March 21-22, weekend Enamelling Workshop- Gold and Silver Studio at ANU, (fees apply). Taweesak Molsawat and Gill Lumsden, inquiries to rohan.nicol@anu.edu.au

Tuesday, 6pm, March 24, free presentation in Gill Lumsden’s workshop, 13 Slocombe Street, Goulburn, inquiries to gill@lumsden.com.au

Wednesday March 25, free presentation by contemporary jewellery gallery owner and director, Atty Tantivit “A Journey into the Challenging World of Contemporary Jewellery in Bangkok”, 1.15pm ANU School of Art Conference Room upstairs, inquiries to rohan.nicol@anu.edu.au

Friday March 27,    6pm, Opening of Thai Artists Exhibition at Bilk, 12 Palmerston Lane Manuka, all welcome.

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Helen Musa

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