Laura Deakin + Peter Bauhuis and a bit about the back of their work

After Schmuck we made our way to visit Peter Bauhuis in his studio. He creates jewellery and objects using the lost wax casting process and often experiments with different alloys. The subtle textures, mushrooming forms and delicate changes within the metal work come together in endless possibilities.

One of the vessels was of particular interest to me as it relates to a process I am considering utilising this year. The vessel had originally been cast in silver with (accidental) holes present on the bottom. To rectify this, Bauhuis created a thin layer of wax within the vessel and created three sprues to become the legs, which was then cast in sterling silver and oxidised creating a patchwork affect. I enjoy this method of 'mending' the vessel, and highlighting the change.

Vessel cast twice

Peter Bauhuis' wax covered jewellery peg

Experimentations with wax

Another artist we visited was Laura Deakin who spoke not only about her work, but of the move she made from Australia to Munich to study at the Academy of Fine Arts. One of her first series of work involving bike inner tubes came into existence as a result of a lack of materials and tools when she first arrived.

This idea of limiting oneself in the making process is something that she believes allows her (and others) to encounter unexpected results. This can be seen with her series My Press where she uses polyester resin as a material to imbed images from the newspaper on the surface. To create the series she required newspaper that was no more than 2 weeks old as she was unable to transfer the images with older newspapers. She challenged herself and encouraged regularity in working, by buying newspapers at the beginning of the week and making a piece before the next week started. 

My Press

Laura Deakin's studio

Laura Deakin's studio

The polyester resin she used has been utilised across other series as well. It comes in two parts that is then mixed together to form a paste, which she then manipulates and dries to become a stone like material. For her Confused series she utilised it by colouring the material, and imbedding colourful necklaces. The front of the brooch was then sanded back to expose the colourful contrast between the beads and the polyester resin, without a hint of how the patterns came into existence. However, once the pieces are turned over the necklaces can be seen, revealing the cause of the pattern.

This secret, which only the wearer knows, can be seen in the work of Peter Bauhuis as well, who leaves the intricate networked sprues used for casting within the concave. The contrast between the billowing forms and elaborate wire formations, enhance the feeling of wonder at first glance. As with Deakin, it reveals the process that they undertook, giving the wearer insight into their practice, just as we were able to experience through the studio visits. 

The back of a brooch by Peter Bauhuis

The underside of a ring by Peter Bauhuis

Brooches from Laura Deakin's Confused Series

The brooch backs from Laura Deakin's Confused Series