Diverge/Converge Brooch - Differences Unite Us

Materials: Anodised Aluminium with Stainless Steel Brooch Pin
Dimensions: 5.5cm Diameter

Undulating ripples of metal bought together to form a cohesive architechtual form. Which is more interesting, converse or diverse? Without both its clear this piece would be devoid of expression and dimension.

Photo credit: D Meaden-Johnso

Dawn Meaden-Johnson
Dawnstorm
Birmingham, UK

Dawnstorm is the brand created by UK jewellery designer and maker Dawn Meaden-Johnson who trained as a Silversmith at Europe’s largest School of Jewellery, in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter, England.

Dawnstorm specialises in the design and creation of handmade, unique Jewellery pieces made from the innovative use of Anodised Aluminium, combined with Sterling Silver. The designs are heavily influenced by architectural shape and form and catwalk colour and texture.

“I prefer the challenge of working with Anodised Aluminum’s unusual properties using adapted traditional Silversmithing techniques, because it enables me to fuse 3D form with bespoke colours and patterns. It is the use of 3D form that drives the design process, the wearer provides a backdrop for each sculptural piece, each seen aspect provides a different feature, or view point and the wearer enhances the impact by providing or removing light on the reflective surfaces of the Jewellery as they move, thus creating a synergy between them.
The intention for each piece is that its design and colour should be able to elevate a simple black garment into chic statement about the wearer’s individual style” Dawn Meaden-Johnson 2011


Ganoksin hosts the jewelry list Orchid, with over 13,000 list members from all over the world, speaking from a wide range of technical and aesthetic experiences. The exhibition theme grew out of a desire to celebrate the creativity encompassed in this wide variety.

Artists were free to interpret the theme in any way they chose. Each artist could submit up to six pieces. Interpretations include uniting different materials into one cohesive form; intellectual and emotional “unitings”, where the meaning of the piece unites multiple concepts; the uniting of time - past, present and future; and a number that focus on the harmony created when uniting multiple materials and/or concepts.

The work submitted involved a wide range of jewelry techniques, from very traditional to very cutting edge, as well as using materials from traditional precious metals and gemstones to “re-purposed” and “up-cycled” materials.

The exhibition showcases 330 images chosen from entries from over 111 artists representing 26 countries.

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Serbia, Spain, Trinidad, Turkey, UK, USA, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands

Many of the participants began their interest in jewelry at a young age. Some are relative newcomers to the field, and some have over 35 years of experience as professional jewelers and goldsmiths. While some grew up in families that were goldsmiths, and followed in those footsteps, others only began creating jewelry as adults.