The latest exhibition at Mawson Gallery features original, sculptural art jewellery and elegant, modern, slumped glass objects by family artists Vicki Lianos, daughter Tracey and Tracey’s husband Matt de Marco.

Vicki and Tracey describe their sculptural art jewellery as “affordable, wearable luxury”. 

Their necklaces, earrings and other pieces include Venetian glass, pearls, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones, and glass beads made by Matt. The clasps are either sterling sliver or gold.

“Initially we were making one-off pieces for ourselves, but soon people were buying jewellery off our bodies and so we began to expand our range of creations,” Vicki said.

The expansion was so successful the women decided to market their pieces more formally under the label “una bella design.”

“We strive to create wearable art pieces that are individually crafted and never replicated. That way, no-one else in the world will have a piece the same as our clients. 

“Art is about someone’s personal reaction to a piece, and we want our wearable art to do the same.  We want our jewellery to inspire a personal response from people who are drawn to bold colours, distinctive designs or interesting textures.”

And husband Matt?  “While he was busy running a couple of other businesses, he became fascinated with the tools of glass making and, before he knew it, he was drawn into the wonderful world of creative art,” Tracey said. 

She said Matt makes the beautiful glass beads for the jewellery and has expanded into one-off slumped glass objects of his own.

Matt says he found he loved working with gla ss and became especially intrigued by the way glass melts and moves.  For the past two years, he has been studying with leading glass artist and teacher Peter Minson.

“Each time you fire a plate or make a bead, the glass reacts differently and creates a new shape or texture. I try to let the glass determine what kind of texture and form each of my pieces takes,” he said. “I use a bright palette of Italian glass to make functional pieces, to try and encourage people to bring some bold colour into their homes.”

The exhibition begins at MAWSON GALLERY, 63 Wilkins Street, Mawson 23 November and runs until 24 December.  Gallery opening hours are 10.30am – 5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday or by appointment anytime.  Phone 6161 2177,  mobile 0407 006 332. 

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