Julia deVille : Ossuarium

Julia deVille, (from left) Elvie's Urn and Emu Repository, 2008. Photography by Terence Bogue.

30 October – 29 November
Gallery 1

An ossuarium is a container or receptacle for holding the bones of the dead. Coffins, skeletons and deaths heads have historically been used to symbolise the imminence of our earthly demise. Julia deVille's practice takes its cue from this tradition of 'Memento Mori' (reminders of mortality). In Ossuarium we see the results of meticulous research into the anatomy of the skeleton: DeVille has photographed, drawn and disassembled carefully sourced specimens; cast the pieces in a range of materials and finally re-assembled them into wearable objects and sculptural pieces. DeVille is well-known for combining traditional gold and silversmithing techniques with materials that were once living, such as jet, human hair and taxidermied animals. Ossuarium will examine both the structural and cultural meanings carried within the skeleton, the most tangible marker of a life lived.

Opening Thursday 30 October, 6-8pm. Artist talks 5:30pm

Price list (click for enlarged view) Email counter@craftvic.asn.au for further pricing information
Rat Necklace, 925 silver, black rhodium, $890	Velvet Rook, rook skeleton, bell jar base, glitter, paint, $1290	Lily Rook Necklace, 925 silver, black rhodium, gold plate, $1220	Lily Claw Brooch, 925 silver, black rhodium, gold plate, $595
Sarcophagus Brooch with Skeleton Bracelet, antique box, 925 silver, $640	Sarcophagus Brooch with Skeleton Bracelet, antique box, 925 silver, NFS	Turtledove Trophy, turtledove head, 1.5ct black diamonds, 925 silver, $1,990	Lily Claw Ring, 925 silver, 3 black cubic zirconia, black rhodium, gold plate, $590
Lily Claw Ring, 925 silver, black cubic zirconia, black rhodium, gold plate, $540	Sympathy, budgie, sparrow skeleton, cigar box, $1,390	Ruby Heart Dove, Old clock, New Guinea dove, 925 silver, 41 rubies, glitter, black rhodium, gold plate, $2,600	Love, budgie, cigar box, dried rose, $1,390
Sugar Bowl & Claw Utensil, sterling silver, sugar, $1,280	Elvie’s Urn, Jarrah, 925 silver, $4,275. Not for sale, orders taken	Emu Repository, Jarrah, 925 silver, $4,275	Calvinism Necklace, 925 silver, $640
Nocturama, plaster, glitter, $1,200	Black Wings, human scapular, glitter, 925 silver, $980	Victorian Shoulder Piece with Velvet Scapular and Death Brooch, Shoulder piece constructed by Dhini. 100% Italian wool, silk, 925 silver, human scapular, $3,200	Victoria Jacket with Scapular, Victorian Jacket circa 1880, human scapular, NFS
Velvet Kangaroo, kangaroo skull, $690	Black Beauty, horse skull, $2,400	Seed Pod Vault, Jarrah, 925 silver, glitter, $2,840	The Reaper, antique bird cage, rook skeleton, mouse, bat, roses, glitter, NFS
The Sword of Damocles, plaster, 925 silver, glitter, $2,380	The Anatomy of a Rabbit, rabbit, 925 silver, 77 rubies, antique mahogany bell jar base, $14,900	Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow, plaster glitter, 925 silver, $2,200	Día de los Muertos, plaster, dried roses, 925 silver, $2,200
Nocturama, human skull, glitter, 925 silver, $5,500	Death & Lily Ring, 18ct white gold, 1.26ct cognac diamonds, black and white rhodium, gold plate, $5,770	Thodey Tomb, Jarrah, 925 silver, ashes of Albert & Jean Thodey, $4,275. Not for sale, orders taken	Ruby Heart Starling, antique frame, starling, 925 silver, 37 rubies, black rhodium, gold plate, $3,220
Egg Repository, Jarrah, sterling silver, $1,200	Rutledge Salt Shaker Urn, Jarrah, sterling silver, $1,200	Death and Diamonds Rook Necklace, 925 silver, black cubic zirconia, black rhodium, $1,990	Cat Rug, cat, glass, glitter, $4,900
Rat Rug, rat pelt, rat skull and tail bones, antique book, $2,990	Prey, 925 silver, 84 rubies, mouse, $19,800