This Week We Invite: Kate Bajic
Kate Bajic is a British jeweller with over 14 years experience working with galleries and at exhibitions throughout the UK, Europe and the USA. Her distinctive pieces have been exhibited recently at the Museum of Art & Design jewellery show LOOT in New York, and Handmade in Kew at Kew Gardens, London.
Inspiration comes from studying natural structures; in particular the varied colour, shapes and forms found in lichen. Through photography and sample collection, Kate examines their minute complexity and translates aspects of this into her work.
She handcrafts pieces using mainly silver, which may be patinated to give striking colours, or coated with gold vermeil for a luxurious rich finish. Designs evolve through experimenting with layering, composition and playing with contrasting colours and textures.
Ten Questions
Describe a typical day in a couple of sentences? A typical work day for me starts with taking my dog for a walk over the fields behind my house, always with my camera phone to hand as I’m a photography addict!
Then it’s off up the garden to my studio to get a few hours work in, I break for lunch for about 30 mins unless it’s a particularly nice day outside when I might get waylaid in the garden doing a spot of weeding on my way down to the house. I usually finish in the studio by 4pm as by then I need to stretch my legs and my eyes, so it’s the second dog walk of the day followed by catching up on admin and responding to emails.
In your studio – what’s the first thing you see? (be honest- I can see an empty packet of chocolate digestives!) The first thing is my jewellers bench, I was fortunate to be able to buy an ex workshop double bench and I love it!
Which artist living or dead would you like to meet and why? Jewellery artist Jacqueline Ryan, over the years I have been inspired by her dedication to her craft and the beauty and intricacy of the objects she makes. Her skill as a craftsperson is undeniable and the way she translates aspects of nature into her work is both subtle and sensitive.
Cats or dogs? We have both but I would say dogs as mine is my cockapoo Boo he is my shadow and constant studio companion
Name your idle pleasure? Long soaks in the bath reading a book with a glass of G&T is my ultimate treat, doesn’t happen very often though. Otherwise just enjoying being out in my garden in the sun.
Tell us a surprising thing about you? I once did a static line parachute jump for charity, it was amazing but I was so relieved I survived that once was enough!
Recommend a book? I read the last post on this blog about Ann Povey and noticed we’re actually reading the same book at the moment, La Belle Sauvage by Phillip Pullman, so I would recommend that, but I also loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
What helps you to focus? Deadlines, definitely! Though they also stress me out. If I feel I’m getting too complacent I will try and challenge myself by applying for something completely different or take on a project outside my comfort zone to shake things up a bit.
What would your top tip be for the year – to yourself or to others? If you get the opportunity, challenge yourself by trying something new, it can work wonders
What are you looking forward to this year? New challenges including my current collaboration with ceramic artist Jennie McCall, we’re developing a range of sculptural pieces for interiors combining porcelain and metalwork, you can follow our story on Instagram or Twitter @info_DuO
I launched my first online shop last October so I want to continue to develop and add new pieces to the site and promote it more widely www.katebajic.co.uk/shop
Find Out More About
Kate is currently exhibiting in Meraki at the Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge Feb 4th until April 22nd. and Equinox at Bluecoat Display Centre opens on March 10th to April 21st www.bluecoatdisplaycentre.com
Visit Kate on Twitter and Instagram @katebajic or her website Kate Bajic
Welcome to Creative Currents. A series of blog interviews with artists, designers and makers from the Southwest where I take a dive into their world for a day. Kicking off this months blog with Katie Bunnell a member of Terra Mater Art based in St Austell, Cornwall.