Simryn Gill is an artist that I discovered while on an adventure a few years ago. New Years being celebrated in Australia. I landed a few days prior to two of my best friends who were joining and got to put in some quality time taking in the city on my own.  As a habit I research the contemporary museums in each city I visit, and in Sydney it’s the Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibits were engaging and dare I say less precious than many other major cities contemporary venues. Simryn Gill, a Sydney based artist was exhibiting “Pearls” a project centered around the idea of exploring the objects from other cultures when they end up in a foreign land, and how it is almost impossible to determine their true value, and meaning if you don’t understand the culture they came from. Are they treasure or common object?  With this project Simryn took a book from each participant and in exchange returned a finished necklace to the participants. I purchased the exhibit’s book on my way out, see inserts below for amazing examples of the diversity and example of craft that made me want to go home and rip up some books.

ARABIAN NIGHTS

NECKLACE FROM ARABIAN NIGHTS

MOUNTAINS AND WATER

NECKLACE FROM MOUNTAINS AND WATER

Hear what the Tate in London has to say about Mr. Gil

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