You are cordially invited………New works by Marchand van Tonder

Contemporary jewellery designer Marchand van Tonder hosts his first solo exhibition at Artspace from 1st – 18th October 2008.

An exuberant individual with a flair for articulating his vision, van Tonder boasts 25 years in all aspects of the industry, from manufacuturing jewellery, to business manager, and recently has added mentor and educator to his CV.

Being a part of the industry since graduating from the University of Stellenbosh in 1982 has given van Tonder the ability to identify his industry niche, while keeping up with the ever changing trends. Van Tonder defines himself strictly as a contemporary jeweller, a movement where the value of a piece is created by placing emphasis on design rather something intrinsic to the material used.

Van Tonders exhibition of new works at Artspace gallery, is a first for both the artist, the gallery and the industry. For the gallery, who focus on contemporary fine art, and have introduced industrial design, this is the first exhibition of jewellery that has graced it’s calendar. For van Tonder this is the first time he has mounted his work as an exhibition in the context of a fine art gallery. \

“ I think this sort of cross-over is what makes contemporary Jewellery Design, and art so interesting.” Says van Tonder. ” as with fine art, my work is driven by both design and content.”

For his show, “You are cordially invited” van Tonder is working within the paradigm of Victorian adornment.
“I am looking at modern takes on the ‘pearl necklace’ which is a piece still used as a cultural signifier”  Van Tonder is also reinventing the “cameo” though a series of rings presenting photographic images reproduced though an innovative new “diamond needling technique.

Van Tonder was born in Bloemfontein in and obtained a BA Fine Art, in Jewellery Design from the University of Stellenbosch. Upon finishing his studies he found himself working as a manufacturing commercial jeweler for more than 17 years. Van Tonder left the commercial field five years ago pursue his interests in contemporary design.
 
Says van Tonder “I am a genuine thinking designer instead of a genuine decorator”

Van Tonders calendar is full. He is currently engaged as the mentor in the Sasol wax art award Jewellery Outreach Programme, funded by the Department of Arts and Culture under the endorsement of the Deputy Minister Ntombazana Botha.

The programme  brings together students from the University of Johannesburg Jewellery Department and Imfundiso Skills Development project, and the Durban University of Technology with Velobala Community Project this programme provides skills training, and encourages creative exchange between the two parties in each centre.

The programme runs workshops between students from the community based organisations and students from the tertiary institutions under the mentorship of Marchand van Tonder, who is also a well known lecturer.

He is also working on the Woolworths and House and Leisure Green design project, and has been invited by the Johannesburg Art Fair to participate in a design project involving local industrial designers interpreting furniture.

“You are cordially invited” will run from 1- 18 October at Artspace.

On the 4th October at 10am, Creation Wines will be launching their new range at Artspace gallery- all are welcome.

Artspace is open from 10h00-17h30 Tuesday – Friday, 10h00- 15h30 on Saturdays.

For more information and images contact

Sindi Ziqula
Media liaison
011 482 1258
sindi@acenet.co.za