Dazzle 1994-2021 by Annabet Wyndham

I have exhibited with Dazzle since 1994 the year I left The University of Brighton. The Resin Jeweller Kathie Murphy working for Dazzle spotted my degree show Anodised Aluminium Tea strainers at New Designers. She suggested to Tony and Christine that they might be interesting functional work for Dazzle at the National theatre that Christmas. If this invitation had not been given my working life may have been quite different! It gave me the incentive to keep making.

The brooch to celebrate 40 years of Dazzle encompasses many of the pieces I have shown with them. The spoon for all the functional pieces in the early years. Perforation which came from my love of utensils. The silver and copper marriage of metals rectangle, used in my early jewellery. The spring formed part of a group of easy to wear studs. Enamel became my main material with silver after a residency in Australia 2003 where I learnt from and formed a strong friendship with Cath Large an Australian enameller. The oxidised rolled oval and small “lollipop” stud which held onto the ear the enamel shapes also represented, as two-part studs. The folded oval formed a range of jewellery, one side an enamel colour the other silver or oxidised as a contrast. Dazzle again gave me an incentive to keep making when it was suggested I might be “rested” for a show, I promised new work to be included and moved my work along finding inspiration from a 2013 William Scott exhibition at the Hepworth Gallery. The painted plywood bowl and the green pear mark this move.

Thank you Dazzle for many years of exhibiting and working with you setting up, serving customers and managing at exhibitions in Brighton Royal Pavilion, London National Theatre, Edinburgh Traverse Theatre and London Oxo Tower. Officially life changing!

View all the 40 brooches for 40 years exhibition.