Michelle Gauntlett
Metal + Jewellery
Maker Member
West Australian Silversmith Michelle Gauntlett creates uniquely crafted, organically shaped and patterned metal forms of jewellery, spoons, cups and sculptural shapes. She works mostly in fine silver, sterling silver and re-purposed copper, hand raising and forming the metal into the desired form. She treats the surface with a variety of textural marks, rolled patterns & patinas. Michelle's inspiration is drawn from her environment, the patterns in nature, the diversity of people, their ideas, and the notion of a shared visual language that creates a connection not otherwise possible.
"The alchemy of working in metal and the creative processes involved in making by hand are particularly important to me. I believe hand wrought items to be links connecting the maker and viewer/wearer. Imbued with the energy during the processes and techniques of shaping and surface treatment, these tactile qualities add meaning to the forms. Re-using metal scrap, raising vessels from flat sheet & forging shapes I can manipulate the molecules to assume their new forms. My interest is in the handmade traditional indigenous metalwork across the globe whilst the pieces I make are inspired by the shapes, patterns and textures from my coastal environment in Western Australia."
Online Resources:
Website: https://www.mgsilversmith.com/
Instagram: @mgsilversmith