Beatrice Carlson, Jewellery artist...and object teller

“Discarded, rejected, amputated objects and porcelain. I repair, mend, stitch. I make and I talk for the forgotten.”

I have been mudlarking porcelain shards on the beach for nearly 3 years.I photograph and research their/our provenance and circa, what they were made of.

I feel the need to pursue their story or create a new one.I feel the responsibility to be their voice.

Keeping their original shape and stains, I polish the broken edges and drill them if I have to but, my intrusion in their bodies stays minimal.

Then, I adorn with discarded beer cans bits, raw sapphire, imperfect Freshwater Pearls, recycled Sterling and other found metal bits, silk, cord.

Wabi Sabi

Porcelain found are mostly blue and white from old times using cobalt pigment (Lapis Lazuli). Mostly from tea sets, They refer to the harmonious moment of sharing and caring: Tea time.

Everything is related: the blue from precious Lapis Lazuli to the storytelling prints on porcelains.

Everything is relative: what is preciousness? Memories, past, porcelain shards, jewellery?

My work is about reducing compulsive consumption by focusing on recycling/upcycling and rethinking the notion of preciousness…

Circular sustainability.

"I can handle it" brooch coffee cup handle, Sterling

This website showcases the different aspects of Beatrice Carlson practice as an interdisciplinay artist.

Her work interacts in between the different medium and techniques she has been using from, initially, her fashion design background to now, her contemporary jewellery practice.

With the post-Covid Era, Carlson focuses on her non-toxic, recycling/upcycling jewellery practice.

In April 2023, Craig Potton Gallery presented, during Nelson Jewellery Week,her solo exhibition, "the Magpie Nest Project", result of decluttering 30 years of impulsive consumption,

Now, she forages, harvests, finds, recycles discarded pieces the sea gives us back.

Her current concept, Under Current Project is going to last as long as she can find porcelain shards on New Zealand shores...

Latest exhibitions & up coming events:

2025:

-May-June: "the Common room" Residency Auckland Festival of Photography

-April: Nelson Contemporary Jewellery week-NJW2025:

“out of the blue” solo show - Craig Potton Gallery 10 April-1 May

-6 March: Devonport First Thursday, talk and workshop. Depot Artspace

2024-2020:

-Finalist 2024 Parkin Drawing Prize- Wellington

-Micro Grant recipient - Auckland Festival of Photography June 2024

-Finalist 2023 WSA Small Sculpture Awards with “Panukaiki” ring, Hamilton

-April-May 2023:"the Magpie Project" Solo jewellery exhibition, Craig Potton Gallery and presented by Nelson Jewellery Week.

-August 2022: "from un-WearableArt to Wearable pieces of Art" a 2 days workshop by Beatrice Carlson.

August 2022: Hei Poipoia, Matariki celebration Group show Waiheke Gallery

-August 2022: "Wear your Art Out" Group show, Estuary Art Centre, Orewa

-Finalist 2022 Richard T. Nelson Sculpture Awards Wellington

- Finalist 2022 "the battle of the rings" competition-"walk on the beach" ring

Seattle US

-Finalist 2021 Parkin Drawing Prize- Lines ring

-Finalist 2021 Cleveland National Art Awards- Reflection ring

-Finalist 2021 NZ Small Sculpture Prize-Black rock ring

-March/April: Nelson Jewellery Week, "a walk on the beach" exhibition, Suter Gallery-Nelson

-20 March: Duo Synchro exhibition, a visual discussion between Beatrice Carlson and virginiejg hosted by Alliance Française at Studio One-Toi Tū during the international week of Francophonie.

-Jan/Feb: "Bijoux" Group show Upstairs Gallery, Waitakere Contemporary Gallery

- Hand Medal Project, worldwide project

-Jewellery Masterclass with Iris Eichenberg, HandShake Project.

-Auckland Art Gallery: "a Different Perspective" participation in the panel discussion during Louise Henderson Retrospective- Auckland Art Gallery

Thank you to go to the about page for a detailed CV or email Beatrice Carlson

Béatrice Carlson, Adornment for the Wall & the Body