Susan Beech lives amongst all of the completely different objects she collects, together with her artwork jewellery. The assorted items are on show throughout her home, together with work, images, and different superb craft.
In reality, you’ll see many examples of this in Feast, the upcoming e book about Beech and her jewellery assortment. AJF will current the e book throughout Munich 2025. The panel will embody Beech herself, Toni Greenbaum, Barbara Gifford, and Susan Cummins. Please be a part of us for it, at Galerie Handwerk on March 14, 11:30 a.m.
Beech based the Susan Beech Mid-Profession Artist Grant in 2017. The $20,000 grant, which ran via 2023, was the most important artwork jewellery money award within the US. It acknowledged a mid-career artist who’s made a considerable contribution to the sphere of artwork jewellery. Cristina Filipe gained the 2017 grant for the manufacturing of her e book Modern Jewelry in Portugal. Tiff Massey gained in 2019, for the creation of an immersive technological and hip-hop setting. Iris Eichenberg used her 2021 winnings to create The place Phrases Fail, a retrospective exhibition and catalog. And Khanya Mthethwa’s 2023 win helps a challenge that mixes African jewellery with 3D-printing to reimagine the designs of indigenous cultural objects.
AJF: Earlier than we discuss in regards to the Susan Beech Mid-Profession Artist Grant, we’d prefer to know extra about you, your pursuits, and your tasks in the meanwhile. You’re a vital collector, and never solely of artwork jewellery. Inform us extra about your relationship with artwork and the way it’s current in your life.
Susan Beech: From the time I used to be a toddler, I liked amassing. Over time, I collected beaded purses, pictures, work, and ceramics, in addition to Artwork Deco objects. Ultimately I used to be launched to artwork jewellery and the remaining is historical past. I dwell with my collections, together with the jewellery, which is all through my home. It is possible for you to to see all of this in my upcoming e book. In the mean time, I’m downsizing, and I’m not amassing a lot.
Relating to artwork jewellery, you’ve talked about in earlier interviews that you simply began by proudly owning conventional jewellery and later gained curiosity in artwork jewellery. What sparked your curiosity in artwork jewellery, and the way has that curiosity modified over time?
Susan Beech: I inherited my mom’s jewellery after I was fairly younger. I didn’t select any of the items. For me, up to date jewellery has at all times been much more attention-grabbing.
Is there a theme to your assortment? Moreover the attraction to the work, are there some particular standards to your selections? Are you able to determine some patterns in your assortment?
Susan Beech: I select the most effective items I can. I do put on most of my assortment, so wearability is an element, although not a requirement. There are a variety of animals in my assortment, each as materials and figuratively. I additionally like to gather sure artists in depth. I take pleasure in supporting their work because it develops over time.
You’ve talked usually in regards to the significance of museums and of donations to museums. How do you see the scenario at current?
Susan Beech: In my downsizing, I’ve donated massive parts of my assortment to the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Artwork Museum, in Washington, DC, and to the Museum of Arts and Design, in New York Metropolis. I’m delighted to know that so many items from my assortment will likely be accessible to the bigger public. I’m additionally thrilled to know the presence of my assortment within the museums will proceed to help the artists that I’ve come to like.
Moreover your vital assortment, you made a radical contribution to the jewellery subject with the creation of the Susan Beech Mid-Profession Artist Grant. It was a very powerful jewellery prize ever when it was created, and also you actually motivated different collectors who at the moment are persevering with your path. What prompted you to create this grant?
Susan Beech: I perceive how tough the center years are for everybody, particularly artists. Job modifications, household commitments, and different duties could make it very difficult for artists to finish advanced tasks or vital our bodies of labor. Most grants and alternatives appear to be focused towards rising artists. Mid-career artists do want a variety of help, so the grant was created particularly for them. Because of this there have been age necessities.
You your self served as a juror for the grant, aside from one yr. What caught your eye within the purposes?
Susan Beech: I wished to help artists and tasks that may add one thing to the bigger dialog. Cristina Filipe’s e book on Portuguese jewellery—she was the primary winner of the grant, in 2017, with a researched e book—did simply this.
Now that the grant has come to an finish, what do you concentrate on the outcomes? Was it all the things you anticipated it to be?
Susan Beech: I didn’t have expectations per se. I liked studying all of the proposals and getting a greater understanding of what artists had been eager about. I additionally liked being launched to artists I didn’t know.
Are you able to inform us about different jewelry-related plans you might need? We all know there’s an vital e book coming quickly …
Susan Beech: Sure! There’s a e book popping out. It has been a protracted challenge to finish, and I can’t be extra excited to see it in print.
And, as a remaining query, what are your expectations for the way forward for the sphere? What would you prefer to see occur?
Susan Beech: My hope is that youthful collectors help up to date jewelers in addition to the galleries that do the onerous work of teaching the general public. Many artists and galleries will likely be cherished in my coronary heart endlessly.
Thanks in your time! Artwork Jewellery Discussion board and the jewellery group is immensely indebted to you and grateful in your generosity.
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