Barbara Nanshe (Australia)
BARBARA NANSHE
Designer biography:
Australian Sculptor & Jewellery Designer since 1989. Barbara has a deep connection to the forest & ocean having grown up in the wilds of Tasmania. The stories inherit in her jewellery naturally connect the wearer to higher purpose because at the heart of every piece is Nanshe’s crusade to inspire & nurture personal connection to the planet through adornment. Lead by her intuitive use of ethically sourced materials & her loyalty to the story & positive energy principles, Nanshe produces vast styles of adornment from simple to Intricate. Barbara enjoys embellishing the stories with vintage & antique objects to tune the message & produce truly unique & meaningful pieces. Barbara Nanshe has a successful jewellery & art business which values & practices sustainability principles.
Collection concept:
This collection uses materials that, by their very presence, symbolizes the impermanence & transformation of all life. Tasmanian & Baltic Amber, more than 52 million years old, is the epitome of transformation. Having once been fluid inside a living tree, the Amber now carries ancient tiny forms to a new world where its fossilised, brittle form imparts a new cosmic light.
Cephalopods died out 66 million years ago, as Ammonites, they represent the cyclic earth & sea.
Tasmanian Serpentine is formed by the mineralisation of volcanic deposits. Alchemy changes the nature of silver & gold. That which is broken, when transformed with gold leaf or paint, honours flaws & imperfections as new life. This collection changes all to adornment to honour connection & transformation with the symbols of earth; lotus, tree; light & moon.
Barbara Nanshe, pendant, Pond Artemis, 2023, recycled Sterling Silver, One Use Clay Pipe Parts, synthetic Linen Cord
Barbara Nanshe, pendant, Transported, 2023, recycled Sterling Silver, recycled 9ctGold, One Use Clay Pipe Part, Ammonite Tasmanian Amber, Citrine, Gold Leaf, synthetic Linen Cord
Barbara Nanshe, pendant, Aranyani Follows The Moon To The Forest, 2021, recycled Sterling Silver, Post, One Use Clay Pipe Parts, synthetic Linen Cord