Donna Brennan is a Fine Art Jeweller and Photographer. Her extensive training across the expanded field of the arts has conferred a cross-disciplinary approach to photography and wearable sculpture, crafting a narrative from image to object which blurs the dichotomy between Fine Art and Applied Art.
Fine art trained with a focus on photography, she gained a BA in Fine Art with Distinction in Goldsmithing and Sculpture, from RMIT, Australia in 1991. She has been based in London since 2000, and was awarded an MA with Distinction from the Royal College of Art, London in 2010. The cross-pollination of her fine art training with the applied arts forms the basis for the border-crossing approach in her work.
Surrounded by an abundance of unique nature during her youth in Australia has proved to be an instrumental influence in her organic nature/artifice aesthetic, which explores the strange beauty in botanical forms.
Brennan’s work is held in the collections of the V & A Museum, London; Museum of Contemporary Art (SM’s) ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands; Cominelli Foundation, Italy; and the Alice & Louis Koch Collection in the National Museum, Switzerland; among others.
She has participated internationally in group exhibitions including the Norton Museum, Florida; Museum of Decorative Art in Cologne, Germany; and the Kunstmuseum, Duesseldorf, Germany. Solo exhibitions include the Museum of Decorative Art in Dresden, Germany; Jewelers’ Werk Washington; and Galerie Marzee, Netherlands.
HORTUS CONCLUSUS
Creating a view finder to an inner world, the lucite object creates a microcosm within the macrocosm of the larger image.
‘Hortus Conclusus’ – an enclosed garden of veritable earthly delights!
INSTALLATION AT THE SAATCHI GALLERY 2018 AS PART OF COLLECT ‘OPEN’.
Latest news
COLLECT Art Fair celebrates it’s 20th Edition when it opens in the stunning setting of Somerset House this week.
As the leading international fair for Contemporary Craft and Design, COLLECT is curated by leading gallerists, representing museum quality work from over 400 exceptional artists, and connecting them to collectors and enthusiasts alike. In the words of the Crafts Council, COLLECT “offers a unique opportunity to explore and invest in the finest crafted objects made by the world’s best international craftspeople.”
Donna is delighted to be represented by CAA Gallery at Collect. She will be showing new work which is an ode to nature, titled ‘Gifted’, with cocktail rings presented in beautiful, hand-crafted solander boxes. Botanical images taken by Donna, are framed behind a reeded surface which diffuse and refract the image, blurring the dichotomy between Fine Art and Applied Art.
She has explored work from her archive through the lens of ‘Now and Then,’ with the past acting as a prologue to time and space. Reworking her cluster cocktail rings, she has reappraised former work by framing them in billowing gold ‘gifting’ ribbons and contextualised them with reeded botanical images.
We invite you to journey behind the studio doors to experience a celebrated world of creativity and find something truly unique!
Please join me from Friday 9th – Sunday 11th June, 2023, as I open my lovely Victorian Mews studio at 7 Iliffe Yard – part of the atmospheric Pullens Yard Open Studios. There will be a sumptuous array of meticulously hand crafted jewels for sale in 18ct Gold, precious and semi-precious stones.
Cockpit Open Studios from Friday 23rd to Saturday 24 June, 2023, is a rare chance to meet world-class craftspeople surrounded by their tools and materials, and have the opportunity to chat with makers and buy beautifully crafted items directly from them. You will find me in my Studio Showroom W5 in the West Wing, with my collection of sumptuous hand crafted jewels for sale – or perhaps you would like to discuss a commission.
It would be lovely to see you there!
Barbara Schmidt
Donna is delighted that her ‘Fakes and Frauds’ Mother of Pearl and Lucite Brooch is included in ‘350 Words For Jewellery’.
Barbara Schmidt’s latest publication offers a fascinating linguistic analysis of approx. 350 terms which she examines from the point of view of the artists and the language they use to speak about their work.
For more information about the publication and to order a copy, click here.
LeoGalleries, Monza – via De Gradi, 10
Donna’s “Blank Canvas” Photochromic Colour Changing Brooch, created during her Masters research at the Royal College of Art, 2010, was acquired by the Cominelli Foundation for their permanent collection in 2011.
Further to the permanent collection being exhibited in the stunning Palazzo Cominelli headquarters in Cisano di San Felice del Benaco.
Donna is happy to announce that the Collection, including her brooch, will be exhibited during the FuoriSalone Milano events and will be hosted by LeoGalleries in Via De Gradi 10 in Monza, Italy.
Donna is delighted to be selected for the prestigious Schmuck exhibition by Chequita Nahar, Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design Maastricht. Showing at the Internationale Handwerksmesse in Munich, Schmuck acts as an annual barometer of the current positions in artist’s jewellery.
In addition, every year the special exhibition honours a Modern Classicist with a retrospective. In 2020 this will be the Australian Robert Baines, who was Donna’s former professor in gold and silversmithing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), and is one of the leading researchers in the field of archaeometallurgy.
Schmuck draws in gallerists, artists and collectors from around the world who convene annually in Munich for Munich Jewellery Week. With an exciting programme of exhibitions and events scheduled around the city, please join us … and be prepared to be tantalised!
Internationale Handwerksmesse
Willy Brandt Allee 1,
Messegelände,
81829 – Munich, GERMANY
Donna is thrilled to be included in this beautifully documented tome of contemporary rings in the Alice and Louis Koch Collection at the Swiss National Museum, Zurich.
Written by the curator of the collection, Beatriz Chadour-Samson, international jewellery historian, scholarly author and lecturer, it features nearly 600 rings by artist jewellers from around the world, and is published by Arnoldsche.
As miniature modern sculptures, the book documents how the rings explore new materials and techniques, daring designs and current themes.
A definite must have for all jewellery aficionados!
Donna Brennan’s ring forms part of the Alice and Louis Koch Collection of historical and contemporary rings in the Swiss National Museum, Zurich, Switzerland.
The Alice and Louis Koch Collection comprises an extensive collection of historical and contemporary rings and is now on permanent display at the Swiss National Museum, Zurich.
Donna’s 14ct gold ring from 1998 showcases her innovative technique of enamelling on crystal which she developed during her D.A.A.D. scholarship in the early 1990’s in Germany. Her ring was subsequently acquired by Beatriz Chadour-Sampson, international jewellery historian & curator of the Alice and Louis Koch Collection, for the collection. It now forms part of the display of nearly 2600 rings in the museum.
The Alice and Louis Koch Collection of rings was originally collated by Louis Koch, a jeweller from Frankfurt am Main once described as the German ‘Cartier and Fabergé’, and his wife, Alice. Donna is immensely proud to be part of this illustrious collection, housed in a specially designed display case which was fashioned in the round to echo the shape of a ring!
Swiss National Museum
Museumstrasse 2,
8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Holborn – Studio W5
Cockpit Arts is the destination for creative festive shopping!
Please join me in my studio at W5 for a festive tipple and the opportunity to source or commission a special gift for loved ones … or for a spot of self-gifting, in the lead up to Christmas.
With over 140 makers, designers and artists spread across the 2 Cockpit Arts sites over 2 weekends (Deptford 6 – 8 December), we offer something beautifully hand-crafted for everyone.
Opening times;
Fri 11am-8pm (5-8pm includes live music)
Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm
COCKPIT ARTS
COCKPIT YARD
NORTHINGTON STREET
LONDON, WC1N 2NP
TICKETS;
In advance £5 (includes entry to both Holborn and Deptford)
On the Door
Holborn £6 (inc. free entry at Deptford)
Deptford £4 (6 – 8 December)
The Bite, Fashion and Lifestyle magazine features Donna’s work in their online independent magazine.
She discusses the ‘Tradition with a Twist’ approach behind her work for the past 24 years with Jada Brookes and how the Vanity Fair jewellery editor, Annabel Davidson, selected one of her rings as a Goldsmiths’ Fair highlight!
21 – 23 November, 2019
Donna will be showing her Solander Boxes with cocktail rings and Giclée Fine Art prints in an exhibition titled, ‘A Fine Line,’ in New York, as part of an exciting 2nd edition of NYC Jewelry Week.
Curated by Ruta Reifen, ‘A Fine Line’ is an international group exhibition which features fifteen jewelry artists, who all tread the fine line between art jewelry and fine jewelry.
Staged at the stunning Elizabeth Collective, the venue is housed in Elizabeth Taylor’s former Midtown mansion, turned arts collective / design furniture gallery, Maison Gerard.
Given Liz’s penchant for jewellery, it is the perfect venue to stage a Jewelry Week show!
The Elizabeth Collective
10 West 56th Street, New York City
ABOUT NEW YORK JEWELRY WEEK
New York Jewelry Week was co-founded by Bella Neyman and JB Jones in 2018. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with New York’s diverse jewelry resources – from independent artist led workshops to tours of world renowned fine jewelry flagships … & everything in between!
NYCJW19 takes place from November 18th – 24th, 2019.
Further details of exhibitions and events can be found here;
22 November, 2019 6pm – 7:30pm
Donna has been invited to speak on the importance of Art College, alongside a respected panel of jewellery specialists, including the head of the internationally renowned Rhode Island School of Design, Tracy Steepy, and moderated by Rachel Atherly.
Having studied both Fine Art and Goldsmithing in Australia, she was then awarded a scholarship to undertake post-graduate studies in Germany, followed by completing a Masters of Art at the RCA in London in 2010. Needless to say, it is an interesting subject which is close to Donna’s heart … and reflects her wealth of experience!
From 6:45pm, the curator of the exhibition, Ruta Reifen will moderate a panel discussion titled, ‘Makers gotta make … a living!’
Goldsmiths’ Fair – Stand 24
Donna is delighted to be showing once again at the illustrious Goldsmiths’ Fair, the premier UK showcase for contemporary jewellery and silver!
With a focus this year on the ‘Art of Collecting,’ Donna has created a collection of Solander boxes to showcase her Giclee Botanical Photographs alongside her Cocktail Rings.
Rings ready to wear … and display!
Goldsmiths’ Hall
Foster Lane
London EC2V 6BN
Tues – Sat: 11am – 6pm (Thursdays late till 8pm)
Sun: 11am – 4pm
Goldsmiths’ Fair – Stand 4.3
Goldsmiths’ Fair will be showing Donna’s latest installation, ‘Altered States’ at COLLECT 2019.
She has created a triptych which extends on the layered photographic work and subject matter shown last year at COLLECT, which explores the materiality of a 2D image by adding an embellished 3D dimension which has been extracted and crafted – or ‘borrowed’ from the photographic image upon which it is mounted. The dye sublimated images are laminated with a faceted lucite facade and set in 18ct Gold, which acts as a beacon for the interplay of light and imparts a sense of intrigue.
Detaching from the image, the brooches act as a broader lens through which we can peer – gaining insight into both the depth and materiality of an image, and revealing that there is more to ourselves and our notion of perception than the conscious mind allows.
All is not what it seems!
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York’s HQ
King’s Road
London
SW3 4RY
“Kaleidoscope”
Donna is delighted to be showing her work for the 1st time in Paris alongside eight European jewellers, including Ute Decker and Daphne Krinos.
To mark the festive season, Elsa Vanier will be transforming her gallery into a Kaleidoscope of colour …
“… I would stand transfixed before the windows of the confectioners’ shops, fascinated by the luminous sparkle of candied fruits, the cloudy lustre of jellies, the kaleidoscope inflorescence of acidulated fruit drops – red, green, orange, violet: I coveted the colours themselves as much as the pleasure they promised me …”
– Simone de Beauvoir, Mémoires d’une jeune fille rangée, 1958
7 Rue de l’Odéon
75006 Paris
France
We are offering a special behind the scenes opportunity to shop independent this Christmas!
You are invited to join us in our studios at the historic Pullens Yard Open Studios and meet the artists and makers over a festive tipple on Friday evening, 30th November from 6:30 – 9:30pm.
Please join me for drinks in my studio:
Friday 30th Nov. 6:30 – 8:30pm
7 Iliffe Yard, Crampton Street
Kennington SE17 3QA.
The Open Studio event will continue throughout the weekend. Purchase unique gifts direct from the artists, and find out how their work is made – or maybe even commission a unique piece for someone special!
Friday 30 November: 6:30 – 9:30pm
Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 December: 11am – 6pm
We will be opening our showroom in Studio W5 at Cockpit Arts Holborn during the Christmas Open Studios.
Join us for this festive opportunity to buy direct from over 170 independent craftspeople and artist-makers in the heart of Bloomsbury.
If you are looking for unique Christmas gifts, or perhaps a spot of self-gifting for a special occasion in the lead up to the festive season, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase something special from her classic collection of otherworldly floral forms with a contemporary twist. She also offers a bespoke service if you are looking to commission a special handcrafted gift that will be truly treasured.
Studio W5
Cockpit Yard
Northington Street
London WC1N 2NP
Friday 23 November, 1 – 8pm
Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 November, 11am – 6pm
Advance tickets: £5 (includes entry to both Holborn and Deptford)
On the Door: Holborn £6 (inc. free entry at Deptford) | Deptford £4
Please note advance ticket sales end at midnight 18 November
Stand 50
2 – 7 October, 2018
Opening Hours
11am – 6pm (Thursdays late till 8pm)
11am – 4pm Sunday
Goldsmiths’ Hall,
Foster Lane,
London EC2V 6BN
Are you a jeweller or student who makes brooches, yet struggles to realise an interesting back with an integral pin solution?
Daniela Malev, author of the definitive book on brooch backs and innovative pin solutions, ‘To The Point’, will be leading this Masterclass. It focuses on creating interesting brooch backs with solutions to suit your needs over an informative 5 day course.
With lunches provided each day, along with a talk followed by dinner and drinks one evening, it promises to be an illuminating Masterclass set in a relaxed social atmosphere.
Limited to 8 places, book now to avoid disappointment.
For further information & bookings;
info@internationaljewelleryacademy.com
https://internationaljewelleryacademy.com
T: +44 (0)7904 393430
As a creative, have you struggled to get to grips with the more demanding 3D modelling software packages?
Ann Marie Shillito, author of the book, ‘Digital Crafts – Industrial Technologies for Applied Artists & Designer Makers’, will be leading this Masterclass. She has developed an intuitive haptic 3D modelling software which is perfect for creatives as it is a fluid and intuitive way of working in 3D. Your designs can then be later 3D printed and cast to produce a finished object.
With lunches provided each day, along with a talk by Ann Marie followed by dinner and drinks one evening, it promises to be an exciting Masterclass offering new possibilities and ways of working, set in a relaxed social atmosphere.
Limited to 10 places, book now to avoid disappointment.
For further information & bookings;
info@internationaljewelleryacademy.com
https://internationaljewelleryacademy.com
T: +44 (0)7904 393430
The work explores the materiality of a 2D image by adding an embellished 3D wearable dimension, which is extracted and crafted – or ‘borrowed’ from the photographic image upon which it is mounted.
The images are laminated with a faceted lucite facade, which acts as a beacon for the interplay of light and imparts a sense of intrigue.
Creating a view finder to an inner world, the lucite object creates a microcosm within the macrocosm of the larger image – a ‘Hortus Conclusus’, an enclosed garden of veritable earthly delights!
The Meet the Maker Talk is at the CAA on Saturday 30 June, 3-5pm:
Meet the Maker – From nature to artifice in Art Jewellery
Saturday 30 June, 3-5pm
Donna Brennan will share her approach to developing this multi-disciplinary collection, which embraces both photography and fine art jewellery. Using photographs to chart the development of Hortus Conclusus, which was in part inspired by a visit to the Munich Mineral Fair, she will discuss both sides of her practice with close inspection of the brooches.
This event is free and informal. Talk begins at 3pm.
For COLLECT ‘Open’ the materiality of a 2D image has been explored by adding an embellished 3D dimension which has been extracted and crafted – or ‘borrowed’ from the photographic image upon which it is mounted, crafting a narrative from image to object. Alluding to ‘Shakkei, which means ‘borrowed landscape’ – the concept is based on the Asian art of landscaping which borrows an existing background landscape into the design of a garden with an emphasis on natural features & rocks. The images are laminated with a faceted lucite facade, which acts as a beacon for the interplay of light and imparts a sense of intrigue. Acting as a view finder to an inner world, the lucite object creates a microcosm within the macrocosm of the larger image – a ‘Hortus Conclusus’, or enclosed garden of earthly delights!
COLLECT ‘Open’ is a unique opportunity for individual makers to show a new body of work of ambitious and challenging work on the top floor of the Saatchi Gallery. COLLECT is the premier event for international galleries to show museum-quality works and installations which define what innovative craft means in 2018.
22 – 25 February, 2018
Thursday 22 February, 12pm – 7pm
Friday 23 February, 11am – 9pm
Saturday 24 February, 11am – 6pm
Sunday 25 February, 11am – 6pm
Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York HQ
Kings Road
Chelsea
London SW3 4RY
Photo on the right:
‘Hortus Conclusus’ Donna Brennan, 2018.
Dye Sublimation Print on Aluminium with Lucite & Opal, Black Silver Brooch
Photo: Richard Valencia
The Look Book showing Donna Brennan’s Cocktail Rings and Jewellery as part of the Store at Museum of Art & Design, ‘Redefining Fine Jewelry’ show opening December, 2016.
Donna is delighted to be showing in the ‘Redefining Fine Jewelry’ curated show at The Store, Museum of Art and Design in New York. Her Cocktail rings were featured by the MAD Museum in both ‘Quest’ and ‘Avenue’ Magazines in New York to promote the show.
The museum has curated a group of jewelers whose singular visions are reshaping the modern heirloom. With innovative precious metals and non-traditional gemstones, these jewellers’ designs converge into timeless and inspired pieces.
Please join me on the 17th November, 2016 from 5:30 – 8:30 at the MAD Museum, NYC to toast the jewelers who are Redefining Fine Jewelry!
The Store
Museum of Art and Design
2 Columbus Circle
New York, 10019
DONNA’S UV COLOUR CHANGING CRYSTAL NECKPIECE “CHAIN REACTION” WILL BE ON SHOW AT THE MUSEO FRANZ MAYER IN MEXICO CITY FROM AUGUST 5 – OCTOBER 2, 2016.
IT FORMS PART OF THE PERMANENT COLLECTION OF THE STEDELIJK MUSEUM IN THE NETHERLANDS AS PART OF THE CHP… ? JEWELRY COLLECTION ESTABLISHED BY GIJS BAKKER, CO-FOUNDER OF DROOG.
THE EXHIBITION IS CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF THE COLLECTION AND INCLUDES WORK BY DESIGN LUMINARIES MARC NEWSON AND MARCEL WANDERS.
Established in 1996 by co-founder Gijs Bakker as Chi ha paura….? (Who’s afraid of…?), the label aims to show that jewelry design evolves just like any other design discipline and that a good piece of jewelry is more than a decorative accessory. In the last two decades, chp…? has initiated seven projects based on themes as What’s Luxury?, Rituals and Global Identity. This resulted in more than 120 designs by over 50 designers, including Marc Newson, Ron Arad, Konstantin Grcic, Marcel Wanders, Campana Brothers, Formafantasma and many more.
August 5 – October 2, 2016
Museo Franz Mayer, Mexico City
Photo on the right:
UV Necklace” Donna Brennan, 2010.
UV Polypropelline Beads, Quartz Crystal.
Left : as seen in the sun;
Right : “Blank” as seen without the sun
Photo: Rien Bazen.
MAKING HER DEBUT AT GOLDSMITHS’ FAIR IN LONDON LAST YEAR, DONNA WILL BE EXHIBITING THERE AGAIN FROM SEPTEMBER 27TH THROUGH TO 2ND OCTOBER.
Goldsmiths’ Fair
27 September – 9 October 2016
Goldsmiths’ Hall
Foster Lane
London EC2V 6BN
AWARD WINNING FINE ART JEWELER DONNA BRENNAN IS MAKING HER DEBUT AT NY NOW. LAUNCHING HER ‘COCKTAIL’ COLLECTION OF CLUSTERED DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES HEWN FROM 18CT GOLD FOR THE 1ST TIME IN NYC, THE RINGS ALREADY HAVE A LOYAL FOLLOWING AMONGST WOMEN WHO BLAZE A TRAIL – AND NEVER FOLLOW!
THE COLLECTION FEATURES SINUOUS ORGANIC FORMS WHICH WRITHE AND TWIST WITH A PERFECTLY IMPERFECT ASSEMBLAGE OF PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES. SHE PLAYS WITH THE TRADITIONAL LANGUAGE OF JEWELRY, RE-CONFIGURING IT IN A CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT. TRADITION WITH A TWIST!
August 20 – 24, 2016
Javits Center
New York, NY