Offcuts and Fragments is a series of assemblages exploring the beauty found in remnants, including the leftover metal material found by me around my space and in the shared studio spaces. This material often goes unnoticed in creative processes. The work I am continuing aims to embody a philosophy of sustainability, respecting materials that would otherwise be discarded. Each metal offcut carries its own history, and can be renewed in different ways, including enamelling, seen in my first work that is in development. Adding vibrant colours and interesting textures breathes life into the fragments that I found sitting in the metal scrap bins. Another main focus of my practice is embracing the unpredictability that comes with using leftover material. Having strange shapes and textures to work with allows me to have a guide in what I can create or how I can arrange the pieces together.
Stella Kemp is a jeweller and artist based in Naarm, whose work centers on transforming leftover materials into distinctive jewellery and sculptural creations. She harnesses the unpredictable shapes of metal offcuts, which inform her drawings, paintings, and collages. In addition, she explores the beauty of found materials, including sea glass, wood, and various objects, enriching her artistic practice with layers of texture and story.
