Helen Clara Hemsley - Curatorial Practice

Body of Water

Upcoming group exhibition:

Tokyo, 9–27 September 2024

Coverage:

Tennoz Isle

Tennoz Central Tower

www.tomoyohiraiwa.com

Contemporary jewellery art from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Japan. Co-curated with Japanese jewellery artist Tomoyo Hiraiwa, Body of Water is a group exhibition with one Japanese, 8 Danish, 8 Norwegian and 8 Swedish jewellery artists.

Each artist will participate with a new work, a large-scale neckpiece. The theme ‘Body of Water’ could refer to the Art Hall’s location, infrastructure and utilisation of water, and our bodily relation to water. We have decided to leave the interpretation as open as possible, however each piece will relate to the body and be wearable or at least refer to wearability and function. We expect a broad interpretation of the theme, some pieces will be conceptual, others material-based, perhaps some artists will draw on inspiration from fables and tales about water or be inspired by the history of Tokyo harbour or their own countries’ relationship to water.

The venue is the Art Hall of Nakagawa Special Steel Co. Ltd, located on the ground floor of Tennoz Central Tower, on the island of Tennozu, surrounded by Tokyo Bay.

Supported by: The Danish Arts Foundation, Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond and Sasakawa Foundation.

Participants:

Tomoyo Hiraiwa (JP), Helen Clara Hemsley (DK/ZA), Maja Røhl (DK), Katrine Borup (DK), Janne K. Hansen (DK), Gabriella Goldsmith (DK), Malene Kastalje (DK), Hrafnhildur Halldórsdóttir (DK), Mette Saabye (DK), Felieke van der Leest (NO), Philipp Spillmann (NO), Anna Talbot (NO), Liv Blåvarp (NO), Sigurd Bronger (NO), Hilde Dramstad (NO), Ingjerd Hanevold (NO), Lillan Eliassen (NO), Sofia Björkman (SE), Karin Roy Andersson (SE), Tore Svensson (SE), Maria Börjesson (SE), Märta Mattsson (SE), Ammeli Engstrøm (SE), Helena Johansson Lindell (SE), and Hanna Liljeberg (SE).

Contemporary jewellery art from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Japan. Co-curated with Japanese jewellery artist Tomoyo Hiraiwa, Body of Water is a group exhibition with one Japanese, 8 Danish, 8 Norwegian and 8 Swedish jewellery artists.

Each artist will participate with a new work, a large-scale neckpiece. The theme ‘Body of Water’ could refer to the Art Hall’s location, infrastructure and utilisation of water, and our bodily relation to water. We have decided to leave the interpretation as open as possible, however each piece will relate to the body and be wearable or at least refer to wearability and function. We expect a broad interpretation of the theme, some pieces will be conceptual, others material-based, perhaps some artists will draw on inspiration from fables and tales about water or be inspired by the history of Tokyo harbour or their own countries’ relationship to water.

The venue is the Art Hall of Nakagawa Special Steel Co. Ltd, located on the ground floor of Tennoz Central Tower, on the island of Tennozu, surrounded by Tokyo Bay.

Supported by: The Danish Arts Foundation, Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond and Sasakawa Foundation.

Upcoming group exhibition:

Tokyo, 9–27 September 2024

Coverage:

Tennoz Isle

Tennoz Central Tower

www.tomoyohiraiwa.com

UP AND DOWN

Exhibited:

Goldfingers, Copenhagen, March - April 2022.

Tinsel Gallery, Johannesburg, August - September 2022

Coverage:

Politiken, 2022

Klimt02, 2022

Klimt02 in Johannesburg, 2022

Up and Down is a group exhibition project featuring 7 South African and 7 Danish jewellery makers. The first leg of the exhibition was held at Goldfingers Gallery, Copenhagen and the second leg at Tinsel Gallery, Johannesburg. The title refers to both geographic aspects - the Danes live up north and the South Africans live down south, and everyday aspects - the usual ups and downs of life. The works depict cultural and geographic differences and similarities, as well as a diversity of materials and techniques. Plus the challenges, joys and milestones we all experience in our private and professional lives.

Supported by: The Danish Arts Foundation & Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond.
Photos: Ole Akhøj & Geraldine Fenn.

Participants:

Helen Clara Hemsley (ZA/DK, Curator), Kim Buck (DK), Hongxia Wang (DK), Mette Saabye (DK), Janne K. Hansen (DK), Thorkild Thørgensen (ZA/DK), Katrine Borup (DK), Liz Loubser (ZA), Eric Loubser (ZA), Geraldine Fenn (ZA), Gussie van der Merwe (ZA), Samantha Vincent (ZA), Thato Radebe (ZA) and Carine Terreblanche (ZA).

Up and Down is a group exhibition project featuring 7 South African and 7 Danish jewellery makers. The first leg of the exhibition was held at Goldfingers Gallery, Copenhagen and the second leg at Tinsel Gallery, Johannesburg. The title refers to both geographic aspects - the Danes live up north and the South Africans live down south, and everyday aspects - the usual ups and downs of life. The works depict cultural and geographic differences and similarities, as well as a diversity of materials and techniques. Plus the challenges, joys and milestones we all experience in our private and professional lives.

Supported by: The Danish Arts Foundation & Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond.
Photos: Ole Akhøj & Geraldine Fenn.

Exhibited:

Goldfingers, Copenhagen, March - April 2022

Tinsel Gallery, Johannesburg, August - September 2022

Coverage:

Politiken, 2022

Klimt02, 2022

Klimt02 in Johannesburg, 2022

GALLERY

Exhibited:

Knaekkethvid, Copenhagen, 2021.

GALLERY is a new exhibition window concept, presenting international contemporary jewellery. The first exhibition was a group show held in the window of Josefine Rønsholt Smith’s studio and shop, KNAEKKETHVID, in central Copenhagen.

With a bright and diverse group of exhibitors, GALLERY opens up for a dynamic segment of the contemporary jewellery world, and has a relevant and inspiring approach, as well as displaying a range of materials, methods, and topics.

The exhibition is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation.
Curated in collaboration with Therese Mørch.
Photo 1: Eyes, 2018 by Gabriella Goldsmith. Photo by the artist.
Photo 2: Intimacy, 2015 by Josefine Rønsholt Smith. Photo by Aske Rif Torbensen.

Participants:

Josefine Rønsholt Smith (DK), Maja Røhl (DK), Gabriella Goldsmith (DK), Paul Adie (DE/SCT), Christopher Thompson Royds (UK), Timothy Information Limited (UK), Rachael Colley (UK), Juliette Même (FR), Therese Mørch (DK), and Helen Clara Hemsley (ZA/DK).

GALLERY is a new exhibition window concept, presenting international contemporary jewellery. The first exhibition was a group show held in the window of Josefine Rønsholt Smith’s studio and shop, KNAEKKETHVID, in central Copenhagen.

With a bright and diverse group of exhibitors, GALLERY opens up for a dynamic segment of the contemporary jewellery world, and has a relevant and inspiring approach, as well as displaying a range of materials, methods, and topics.

The exhibition is supported by the Danish Arts Foundation.
Curated in collaboration with Therese Mørch.
Photo 1: Eyes, 2018 by Gabriella Goldsmith. Photo by the artist.
Photo 2: Intimacy, 2015 by Josefine Rønsholt Smith. Photo by Aske Rif Torbensen.

Exhibited:

Knaekkethvid, Copenhagen,
2021

Participants:

Josefine Rønsholt Smith (DK), Maja Røhl (DK), Gabriella Goldsmith (DK), Paul Adie (DE/SCT), Christopher Thompson Royds (UK), Timothy Information Limited (UK), Rachael Colley (UK), Juliette Même (FR), Therese Mørch (DK), and Helen Clara Hemsley (ZA/DK).

COME AGAIN 2.0

COME AGAIN

Exhibited:

Copenhagen Cable Park
during 3daysofdesign, 2021

COME AGAIN 2.0 is an outdoor exhibition exploring the diversity within craft and design disciplines when it comes to upcycling, reuse and reappropriation of materials. Set in a location where nature and leisure meets industry and urbanity.

Curated in collaboration with Helle Vibeke Jensen.

COME AGAIN 2.0 is an outdoor exhibition exploring the diversity within craft and design disciplines when it comes to upcycling, reuse and reappropriation of materials. Set in a location where nature and leisure meets industry and urbanity.

Curated in collaboration with Helle Vibeke Jensen.

Exhibited:

Copenhagen Cable Park
during 3daysofdesign, 2021

DLUG – DLOG

Exhibited:

Udstillingssted for Tekstil, Copenhagen, 2020

Curated in collaboration with Anne Fabricius Møller.

DLUG – DLOG is an exhibition focusing on the properties and possibilities of contemporary textile jewellery. The chosen works are diverse and vary in their aesthetical, technical and narrative approaches, thereby creating a ‘showcase’ of what is happening in the field and the potential within it.

The exhibition runs concurrently with the exhibition GGUULLD – GGOOLLDD focusing on gold in textiles, both now and in the past.

Realised with the kind support of the Danish Arts Foundation.
Photos: Susanne Øhrgaard & James Bates Photography.

Participants:

Helen Clara Hemsley (ZA/DK), Christina Bizzarro (DK), Helle Bjerrum (DK), Laila Marie Costa (AUS), Ni Daodao (CN/CH), Janne K. Hansen (DK), Ailsa Morrant (UK), Carla Nuis (NL), Camilla Prasch (DK/DE), Mette Saabye (DK), Barbara Schrobenhauser (DE), Annemiek Steenhuis (NL), and Kristina Villadsen (DK).

Curated in collaboration with Anne Fabricius Møller.

DLUG – DLOG is an exhibition focusing on the properties and possibilities of contemporary textile jewellery. The chosen works are diverse and vary in their aesthetical, technical and narrative approaches, thereby creating a ‘showcase’ of what is happening in the field and the potential within it.

The exhibition runs concurrently with the exhibition GGUULLD – GGOOLLDD focusing on gold in textiles, both now and in the past.

Realised with the kind support of the Danish Arts Foundation.
Photos: Susanne Øhrgaard & James Bates Photography.

Exhibited:

Udstillingssted for Tekstil,
Copenhagen, 2020

Participants:

Helen Clara Hemsley (ZA/DK), Christina Bizzarro (DK), Helle Bjerrum (DK), Laila Marie Costa (AUS), Ni Daodao (CN/CH), Janne K. Hansen (DK), Ailsa Morrant (UK), Carla Nuis (NL), Camilla Prasch (DK/DE), Mette Saabye (DK), Barbara Schrobenhauser (DE), Annemiek Steenhuis (NL), and Kristina Villadsen (DK).

COME AGAIN

Exhibited:

Officinet – an exhibition space for Danish Crafts and Design, Copenhagen, 2020‍

Coverage:

JP Bolig, 2020

Guld & Ure, 2020

A multi-disciplinary craft and design group exhibition, curated by Else-Rikke Bruun and myself. The exhibition focuses on upcycling and sustainability and how Nordic designers and craftspeople work with these concepts in an innovative and aesthetic way.

With special thanks to Wednesday Architecture and Helle Vibeke Jensen.

Realised with the kind support of Augustinus Fonden, Beckett-Fonden, Bodil Pedersen Fonden, Statens Kunstfond and Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond.

Participants:

Ane Henriksen, Annelie Grimwade Olofsson, Manuel Canu, Rasmus Fenhann, Helle Vibeke Jensen, Tina Ratzer, Katrine Borup, Janne K Hansen, Maria Sparre-Petersen, Pernille Falch Heinesen, Lotte Myrthue, Camilla Prasch, Martine Myrup, Maja Røhl, George William Bell, and Line Frank.

A multi-disciplinary craft and design group exhibition, curated by Else-Rikke Bruun and myself. The exhibition focuses on upcycling and sustainability and how Nordic designers and craftspeople work with these concepts in an innovative and aesthetic way.

With special thanks to Wednesday Architecture and Helle Vibeke Jensen.

Realised with the kind support of Augustinus Fonden, Beckett-Fonden, Bodil Pedersen Fonden, Statens Kunstfond and Nationalbankens Jubilæumsfond.

Exhibited:

Officinet – an exhibition space for Danish Crafts and Design, Copenhagen, 2020 ‍

Coverage:

JP Bolig, 2020

Guld & Ure, 2020

Participants:

Ane Henriksen, Annelie Grimwade Olofsson, Manuel Canu, Rasmus Fenhann, Helle Vibeke Jensen, Tina Ratzer, Katrine Borup, Janne K Hansen, Maria Sparre-Petersen, Pernille Falch Heinesen, Lotte Myrthue, Camilla Prasch, Martine Myrup, Maja Røhl, George William Bell, and Line Frank.

Beige

Exhibited:

At Mette Saabye's,
Copenhagen, 2020

Coverage:

Bæredygtige Krisesmykker, Weekendavisen,
2020

BEIGE is quite simply about the colour beige and incorporates an oasis of beige jewellery/body-related objects from a variety of jewellery makers and artists from all over the world. The exhibition was redesigned (due to Covid 19) to fit in the gallery window so it was accessible 24 hours a day.

Supported by: The Danish Arts Foundation and Copenhagen Goldsmiths' Guild.

www.beige.one

Participants:

Helen Clara Hemsley (ZA/DK), Marie-Louise Kristensen (DK), Annette Dam (DK), Mette Saabye (DK), Janne K. Hansen (DK), Karl Ejnar Nybo (DK), Maja Røhl (DK), Therese Mørch-Jørgensen (DK), Signe Svanholt (DK), Hongxia Wang (DK), Josefine Rønsholt Smith (DK), Jytte Løppenthin (DK), Kaori Juzu (DK), Kim Buck (DK), Sidsel Götke & Patricia Tind (ÆSTETIK) (DK), Malene Kastalje (DK), Anette Jensen (DK), Jonathan Hens (BE), Chequita Nahar (NL), Carla Nuis, (NL), Anke Huyben (NL/USA), Jonathan Boyd (UK), Andrew Lamb (UK), Ailsa Morrant (UK), Caitlin Hegney (UK), Hrafnhildur Halldórsdóttir (IS/UK), Adam Henderson (UK), Bogki Min (KR), Soohyun Chou (KR), Sehee Um (KR), Sungho Cho (KR) and Gavy Jo (KR), Taro Mizushima (JP), Takashi Kojima (JP), Tomoyo Hiraiwa (JP), Miki Asai (JP), Mara Balode (LV), Aric Verrastro (USA), Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro (USA), Ulla Ahola (FI), Juliette Même (FR).

BEIGE is quite simply about the colour beige and incorporates an oasis of beige jewellery/body-related objects from a variety of jewellery makers and artists from all over the world. The exhibition was redesigned (due to Covid 19) to fit in the gallery window so it was accessible 24 hours a day.

Supported by: The National Arts Foundation and Copenhagen Goldsmiths' Guild.

www.beige.one

Exhibited:

At Mette Saabye's,
Copenhagen, 2020

Coverage:

Bæredygtige Krisesmykker, Weekendavisen, 2020

Participants:

Ane Henriksen, Annelie Grimwade Olofsson, Manuel Canu, Rasmus Fenhann, Helle Vibeke Jensen, Tina Ratzer, Katrine Borup, Janne K Hansen, Maria Sparre-Petersen, Pernille Falch Heinesen, Lotte Myrthue, Camilla Prasch, Martine Myrup, Maja Røhl, George William Bell, and Line Frank.