Catherine Hunter is a skilled local silversmith who makes unique smallsculptures and fine art pieces. In this exhibition Hunter draws on a scientific aesthetic to contemplateenvironmental pressures and phenomena. Through these wearable fine art pieces Hunter aims to instigateconversations and draw the viewer into a miniature, highly detailed and fragile world.

Working predominately with sterling silver, accented with otherprecious metals, Hunter fabricates unique forms combined with naturalfound-objects and deliberately-selected discarded everyday materials. These materials are used to draw attention to the impact of our consumption on the ecology of local wetlands, mangroves and reefs.

Hunter employs ancient repoussé and reticulation techniques to create blackened-silver bones contrasted against bleached-white powder-coated brass forms layered with real coral, delicate neon aquariumplants and hand-coloured pastel polymer clays.

Through this installation Hunter also explores the possibilities ofpositive interventions such as the farming of endangered coral speciesand hybrid new species for the future. The rings and brooches in the centre of the room are laid out like a propagation table, the necklacespinned to the wall like preserved insects.

Look closely to discover tiny crown-of-thorns starfish and coral polyps suspended within plastic domes, aplethora of reclaimed plastics and redundant electrical cords knitted with natural fibres.

Image: Catherine Hunter, Brooch 2016, mixed media