Carol Kingsbury Gwizdak
Carol Gwizdaks jewellery focuses on ecological issues that draw on the visual and conceptual language of the natural world and in so doing entreats us to reinstate nature in its purist form, as the most precious of all commodities.
Her work centres around the notion of ‘Precious’ in a traditional context, subverting this by replacing the expected gemstones with the natural treasures that she finds. Often wilfully transient; her use of ephemeral plant matter contradicts the notion of jewellery as ‘precious and permanent’ and refers preoccupations with value back to the environment.
References are made to a plethora of concerns. From the alarming rate of habitat and biodiversity loss to the decline of outdoor play and by default our children’s awareness of nature’s wonders. It implores us to question what we value. Do we care what we have lost, if, in our interior digital world, we are ignorance of its existence? In the piece EX1 is it enough to create imaginary hybrids from the bits we save and remember? The sculpted creature looks forlorn, the last of its kind, a flora construct, a definitive depiction and trophy of our wilful destruction of our planet.
Carol Gwizdak trained at Dyfed college of Art and Birmingham University - School of Jewellery. She later took up the post as Programme Director for Foundation Art and Design at Carmarthen School of Art and developed and taught on BA Ceramics and Jewellery. In 2014 she became Assistant Head at the School until she left in 2019 to concentrate on the practice. She has won several awards including the Gold Medal for Craft & Design at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 2006.
Education / Qualifications
1982 – 1985 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design & Silversmithing
Birmingham School of Jewellery
1981 – 1982 Diploma in Art Foundation Studies
Dyfed College of Art
Professional Qualifications
1994 – 1996 PGCE - University of Wales Newport.
2008 – 2009 Leadership & Management Certificate.
Professional Experience
2014 – 2019 Assistant Head – Carmarthen School of Art
1997 – 2014 Course Director – Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design)
Carmarthen School of Art
1988 – 2019 Lecturer & Programme Development - BA Hons Ceramics & Jewellery programmes teaching Jewellery Design and 3D Art & Design
Carmarthen School of Art
1996 – 1998 Head of Department - A’ level Art & Design. Coleg Sir Gar
1994 – 1996 Course Leader GNVQ Intermediate Coleg Sir Gar
2002 – Present Artist Jeweller
1986 – 1990 Fine Jeweller
Awards
2006 Gold Medal Award for Craft & Design. National Eisteddfod of Wales.
2004 Gold Award Winner. Kingston University.
2014 Lifetime Teaching and Learning Award – Carmarthenshire college
Exhibitions
2022 Cluster Contemporary Jewellery Fair ‘Sentient’
Fresh: Art Fair, Cheltenham
Ebb and Flow, Studio Cennen, Llandeilo
Tree of Life, Studio Cennen, Llandeilo
2021 Truth Myths Dreams, Studio Cennen, Llandeilo
2019 From Hand to Hand, Mission Gallery, Swansea
2018 Rooted in Practice, The Makers Guild of Wales, Cardiff
Group Show, Edge Gallery, Cardigan
40 Years Celebration, Carmarthen School of Art
2014 ‘New Beginnings’ Nantgarw, Cardiff
“Aur’ Makers Guild of Wales, Cardiff
2011 ‘Coedwig’ Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
2010 ‘Lux’ Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
‘Delicate Balance’ Solo Show, National Botanic Garden of Wales
2009 ‘Art & Utility’ Henry Thomas Gallery, Carmarthen School of Art
‘Crafted – Contemporary Craft’ Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
‘Pre.cious’ Solo Show, Lakeside Gallery, University of Nottingham
2007 ‘Hoar Frost’ Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
‘The Nature of Things’ curated by Ralph Turner. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea
‘Llif’ Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmarthen
‘Precious’ Solo Show. Oriel Q Gallery, Narberth
‘Llif’ Flow Gallery, London
2006 Award winner exhibition, National Eisteddfod of Wales,
British Art Medal Society, Touring Exhibition
2005 Aberglasney Gardens, Llandeilo
Henry Thomas Gallery West Wales School of the Arts, Carmarthen
Fab 6 Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London
2004 Fab 5 Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London
Publications
2015 A Dictionary of Artists in Wales Isabel Hitchman, Peter W. Jones, Gomer Press 2015
2014 Aur Exhibition Catalogue, National Eisteddfod and Arts Council of Wales.
2006 Exhibition catalogue & accompanying poetry book.