Hundreds of hours of design have manifested in a unique piece of jewellery that has scooped a grand prize at an esteemed international art show.
Upper Moutere jewellery-maker Stacey Whale created the 18-carat gold and diamond-studded collar, which was announced the winner of the ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico Award’ for jewellery art and design at Italy’s biennial Florence Biennale.
The awards, a “rockstar event” in the art world, were held in October and hosted artists from across the world.
Stacey describes the win as “amazing” and a powerful affirmation for her craft.
“The moment I found out, it was like a rush of emotion - excitement, relief and immense pride and gratitude all rolled into one. A mix of overwhelming joy, and a deep sense of validation for my artistic skill, vision and hard work,” she says.
“It was a moment of pure elation and a realisation that dreams could indeed materialise into remarkable accomplishments.”
To realise her dream, Stacey needed to raise more than $20,000, which she achieved through community grants, private donations and through the ‘Boosted’ platform, which is operated by the arts council to crowdfund for projects that nurture homegrown art initiatives.
She is very grateful for the support she received, describing it as “nothing short of amazing”.The Florence Biennale holds immense significance for her as an artist, and she says it is revered as a “rockstar event” in the art world.
“Participating in the Biennale attaches unparalleled prestige to the awards, significantly enhancing my art portfolio and opening doors to new opportunities.”
Her award-winning collar is now on its way back to Italy, to sit as part of the winner’s showcase. The matching cuff, which is part of the same jewellery suite, will be sent to a high-end London department store stockist.
Stacey’s focus for the future will be on creating one-off high-end pieces, treating her jewellery as the art that it is.
“Italy’s rich artistic heritage, steeped in the legacies of master artists, and their profound celebration of the arts and crafts, ignited the fire within me.”
