Saturday 3 June - Saturday 24 June 2017, 10am-5pm daily at Il-Hagar - Heart of Gozo Museum and Cultural Centre, Pjazza San Gorg, Victoria, Gozo

'The Nature of Metal' is an exploration in metal by three Gozo designer/makers: 2D & 3D metal sculpture by Jackie Roberts & Mario Cordina and jewellery in sterling silver by Rachel Mogg Robinson.  The exhibition showcases original contemporary sculpture in steel, copper & brass; some including repurposed scrap metal and natural materials; together with a collection of designer jewellery in sterling silver.   The collaboration showcases three very different approaches to the theme inspired by the landscape, flora and fauna, culture and environment of the Maltese Islands and demonstrates the contemporary artistic use of traditional design and craft skills while exploring the essential nature of various metals.

The artists will be available at the venue for an informal 'show and tell' to meet the public, share their passion for metal and discuss their inspiration and techniques on Saturday 3 June from 10-12 noon and again on Sunday 11 June from 9.30am-11 am.  They are also happy to meet visitors at the venue at other times by prior arrangement.

Admission to the exhibition and the museum is free and both are open every day including public holidays.

Later this year the exhibition will be expanded in Malta with further explorations in 'The Nature of Metal' at the Fortress Builders Fortifications Interpretation Centre, Valletta from 1-30 September.

The Nature of Metal has been sponsored by Cordina Steel Works; Lord Chambray (Craft Brewery) and Delicata.

For further information please contact:  Jackie Roberts 79 562 753 e.mail [email protected] or see our Facebook event page 'The Nature of Metal'.

Jackie Roberts - Metal Artist, Xewkija

I learned metalworking with the 'Arcangels' group at Edinburgh's Telford College; pursuing a passion for creating desirable things in metal as a mid-life career change. Moving to Gozo in 2001 to become a full-time maker I undertake commissions and show my work at select venues around the Maltese islands and overseas. I was awarded a Malta Crafts Council/Department of Commerce prize for innovation and creativity for my Mediterranean marine life in metal.  I have taken part in numerous collective and group exhibitions and staged solo exhibitions over the past 15 years, notably at Malta Design Week, Fort St. Elmo, Valletta in 2014 with the group MAKERS MARK; in 2012 at both Dawyck and Logan Botanic Gardens in Scotland; in 2009 at the Citadella, Gozo and in 2007 my first solo exhibition at Gozo's Art..e Gallery. 

Inspired by the natural world and cultural symbolism my work may be decorative, functional or wearable, often simply fanciful based on my imagination and interpretation of the world around me. I work mostly in copper, mild steel and brass using hand and power tools to cut, shape and mark, then bring out the natural hues of the metal by artistic burning; finally spraying with protective lacquer. I often incorporate scrap metal, found objects and plant material into my work reincarnating what others have discarded.  Although I despair at the amount of recyclable metal and other rubbish discarded around the countryside I often find bits and pieces of rusty metal I can use in my artwork.

In this exhibition I have created new work influenced by the landscape, culture and symbolism of Gozo, Malta and the wider world.  One large piece 'Visible Graffiti' has interlocking copper panels inspired by historic maritime, other graffiti, and mark making in stone found around the islands.  I have enjoyed the challenge of exploring and mixing the natural oxidization (rust) of various metals and heat patination using my oxy-acetylene welding torch. I don't apply any chemicals only heat to bring out the myriad and depth of natural hues and tones within the metal.  Crossing the boundaries of art and craft I use traditional metalworking techniques to make contemporary, collectable, hand-crafted pieces with a distinctive style.

Jackie has invited two other Gozo designer/makers, who she worked with previously, to collaborate in exploring the theme 'The Nature of Metal' each with their unique approach to design, techniques and materials.

Mario Cordina, Metal Worker, Munxar

Born in Sannat, Gozo, Mario is a skilled metal worker and fabricator with 25 years experience and who has his own company Cordina Steel Works.  Mario and his team design and fabricate large scale indoor/outdoor classical decorative metal works such as railings, staircases and balconies; contemporary designs in steel and public art projects. In his limited spare time Mario likes to concentrate on smaller art sculpture pieces for exhibition and commissions for private clients, working mostly in mild steel  

'With dedication for art in metal I use modern and traditional techniques of welding, cutting, forging, bending and hammering metal to form desired shapes, colours and  textures.'

Rachel Mogg Robinson, Designer/Jeweller, Victoria

I am a full time jewellery designer and gold/silversmith, working under the name 'Mogg Robinson' and have been living and working on Gozo for a number of years. I have a degree in jewellery design and metalcrafts from the UK, and am registered with the Goldsmith's Consul in Valletta. I work in Victoria, from a small studio in my shop 'Prickly Pear', near St.George's Square which sells my own work, and where I also sell and help arrange commissions for other contemporary craft makers. Prickly Pear was awarded 'Craft Retailer of the Year' by Malta Crafts Council / Ministry of Commerce.

My jewellery pieces are all individually built from sterling silver sheet or wire (no use of moulds or castings), and other than the use of an electric polisher to bring up the final shine, they are built entirely with hand tools. This means that each piece spends a lot of time in my hands, which over the years has given me a familarity and understanding of silver and its qualities.

My design style is usually characterised by patterning, mark making and oxidization (using sulphur to turn silver black), but I have used the invitation to participate in this exhibition as an opportunity to set aside some time to explore and exploit some different properties of silver to see what new design ideas might emerge.