Care Package from ANDROMEDA
Care Package from Andromeda was conceived as a genesis point——the first motion in the world of my work. The few collections that will be featured are those that have been a continuing exploration over the past three years.
GOKUL BAKSHI
Traditionally, jewellery is often thought of as ornamental. I tend to think of it as personal, wearable totems,” says Gokul Bakshi of his first solo jewellery exhibition—care package from ANDROMEDA—that is in equal parts talisman and miniature sculptures. Metalsmith, jeweller, artist and craftsman, Bakshi’s work is oriented around the interplay of metal, stone, fire, tool, intention and energy. “Designs rarely follow the plans made for them. Pieces are not so much finished as released—some return from the shelf to the bench after a long hiatus to find fresh feet,” he says. The work reflects a variety of influences: brutalist shapes with surreal currents that intersect design and technique—an ancient glyph here, an astral symbol there, elsewhere a nod to science fiction. With a total of about 50 pieces, Bakshi has worked with varying metals from titanium to sterling silver to copper, Kyanite and apatite. Sharing favourites, Bakshi finds sterling silver to be the most rewarding metal. “It’s the most forgiving and can bear the weight of mistakes. Super malleable yet strong, it hardens easy, but is elastic, and functions almost like a harder version of clay. It’s really fun to play with and sculpt. Gold works as a great glue, holding joints together brilliantly. Titanium is a kind of peacock; it has the ability to take on bright colours—a process called anodising—but can be temperamental and brittle. Ultimately, it’s all about the play between materials—each has unique expressive properties that can be drawn out in different ways”. Turquoise is another stone he enjoys working with. His work explores the tactile, totemic, sentimental and mystical nature of jewellery. “I guess you could say it’s a Lego process—building blocks of intention channelled through tools.” The exhibition was originally scheduled to open April 17, 2021, but in view of the recent COVID resurgence, it has been postponed.