Leigh Wagner - Artist, Jeweller, Designer...

For me, jewellery making is an extension of my fine art practice. I approach these intricate pieces, many of them reversible, as little paintings.

In order to operate in the realm of colour and texture, I have gravitated towards the use of recycled kitchen laminates and acrylics. I find the irony of combining discarded materials with sterling silver amusing. This interest in colour has also led me to investigate the use of reformed plastics, transforming recycled bottles and plastic bags with heat fusing methods, into vibrantly coloured blocks of material which form the basis for fabricated pieces.

Complex, scrolling and lattice style motifs are a theme in my current body of work. The sinuous curves are very time consuming to cut and I find the process to be quite meditative in nature. Some of these designs hint at other cultures, whilst others echo the feel of the fretwork common in old QLD houses. These motifs, combined with my preoccupation with colour, make for some highly decorative pieces

Visit Leigh Digidesigns to see more of Leigh's work