FERROcity: Iron in the city

Jewellery and objects by twenty-two contemporary makers displayed alongside gemmological samples and photography that explores the interpretation and influence of Iron as catalyst, material and fundamental element of life. The exhibition was co-curated by Professor Stephen Bottomley, Head of School and Elizabeth Turrell visiting Professor at School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University. This 2019 international touring exhibition brought together fascinating artistic responses to the theme of iron by twenty-two contemporary makers, including works by academic staff from Birmingham’s eminent School of Jewellery and invited international artists. It explored iron is a material that has become synonymous with human life and civilisation and as such has become embedded in both our language and understanding of the world FERROcity showcased a breadth of approaches to this fascinating but familiar material. Ideas explore the interpretation and influence of Iron as catalyst, material, and fundamental element of life, culminating in contemporary metalwork and jewellery ranging from steel vessels to recycled iron nail jewellery. Alongside this gemmological samples and photography taken on specialist microscopes was commissioned from the Gemmology department at the School of Jewellery which captured the transformative effect iron has on the colouration of gemstones. The show opened in Germany at the Museum Reich der Kristalle, Mineralogical State Collection, Munich and ran in tandem with the city’s international jewellery fair ‘Inhorgenta’ in February 2019 and ‘International Jewellery Week’ and ‘Schmuck’ exhibitions over February and March 2019. The exhibition then moved to the Vittoria Street Gallery, Birmingham, United Kingdom, April 2019 and was invited to China as a special exhibition at the 4th International Art Jewellery Exhibition at the Beijing Institute of Fashion and Textiles October 2019 before moving to the Academy of International Visual Arts, Shanghai November 2019 until it closed in December 2019. Exhibitors School of Jewellery: Dauvit Alexander, Jivan Astfalck, Stephen Bottomley, Jeremy Hobbins, Bridie Lander, Anna Lorenz, Sarah O’Hana, Drew Markou, Toni Mayner, Jo Pond, Rebecca Steiner, Elizabeth Turrell. Invited artists: Marianne Anderson, Tim Carson, Rachael Colley, Bettina Dittlmann, Christine Graf, Kirsten Haydon, Michael Jank, Joohee Han, Simone Nolden Jo Pudelko. Exhibition Dates: Germany, Munich | 21st February to 17th March 2019 United Kingdom, Birmingham| 1st April to 18th April 2019 China, Beijing |18th October to 28th October 2019 China, Shanghai| 31st October to 30th November 2019