A third iteration of New Zealand's prominent jewellery mentoring project, Handshake returns to Objectspace. Founded by jeweller Peter Deckers in 2011, Handshake 3 sees a shift in the mentor / mentee relationship, where the mentor becomes collaborator.

Born out of recognition of the need for ongoing support for talented New Zealand graduates after completing their undergraduate study, Handshake is a unique mentoring project pairing New Zealand based contemporary jewellers with mentors from throughout New Zealand and internationally who occupy a position of idol or revered maker, creating an ongoing relationship. The project has existed as a framework where mentors provide critical feedback, support and knowledge to a new generation of makers, encouraging symbiosis and a 'give and take' between mentors and mentees.

Founded by jeweller Peter Deckers in 2011 and in its third iteration, Handshake 3 sees a shift in the mentor / mentee relationship, where the mentor becomes collaborator. Handshake 3 articulates the different nature and stages of a collaborative creative process and works range from marquette and test based experimentation, text and drawing through to finely resolved sculpture and jewellery.

A challenging framework, but one which has in New Zealand and internationally be heralded for its openness, its ability to connect practitioners inter-generationally, and to find ways to keep criticality and experimentation alive in a maker's practice once outside of an education system.  In these pairings for Objectspace the forces of language, time zones, social hierarchies and culture are all at play, set against a timeframe of deadlines which sees them produce exhibitions and publications in Auckland, Stockholm, Munich and Wellington.

Handshake 3 Includes:

Amelia Pascoe / Ruudt Peters, Becky Bliss / Fabrizio Tridenti, Debbie Adamson / Nichola Shanley, Kelly McDonald / Kirsten Haydon, Nadene Carr / Fran Allison, Sarah Walker-Holt / Helen Britton, Raewyn Walsh / Henriette Schuster, Neke Moa / Karl Fritsch, Renee Bevan / Harrell Fletcher, Sarah Read / Liesbeth den Besten, Kathryn Yeats / Ben Pearce, Sharon Fitness / Lisa Walker

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A publication for this exhibition is available to view or download here.