Master Artisan and Inspired Designer
This past summer (ah it is past now isn’t it?) Sandra Bauer visited us at Aphrodite and invited me to their home to view Peter Bauer’s jewellery. Now I have known about this legendary designer almost since I first moved to Nova Scotia almost 20 years ago but we had never formally met. The other week I took up Sandra’s offer and drove to Cape Breton where I turned off the 105 Hwy just past the Seal Island Bridge into Boularderie Centre. I was warmly greeted in their beautiful century home surrounded by gardens of bonsai trees that Peter also cultivates. I knew that Peter had such a following that he sold his work directly to his admiring customers and collectors so when Peter and Sandra offered their collection to Aphrodite to carry in our jewellery gallery I was honoured and thrilled. I knew this would be a major development for Aphrodite and would further establish us a serious gallery for fine artisinal jewellery.
This Sunday, September 29 at our Shaking Conventions event at the Old Barn Gallery in Pomquet we will launch the Pete Bauer collection. The majority of the fashions you will see in our fashion show will be adorned by his work. We are unbelievably excited by this opportunity. For event details see https://aphroditeartandfashion.com/2013/09/18/shaking-conventions/
If you don’t know about Peter Bauer here’s why he’s so revered in his field:
Peter Bauer in his studio
Silver artist Peter Bauer is an award-winning Master Artisan with the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council and a juried member and instructor at the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design. The son of a talented designer, Peter grew up in a central European town steeped in jewelry-making tradition. He completed extensive metalworking and art courses at the University of Vienna, where he earned two engineering degrees. He holds a masters degree in physics from Cambridge University, England.
From his workshop on Cape Breton Island, Peter is within easy reach of sweeping natural vistas and landscapes that are his inspiration. His limitless imagination and passion for discovery are what drive his compelling designs and sensuous textures. His continuous experimentation is fueled by an insatiable curiosity to know “…what happens if?….” Wildly exciting and always wearable, Peter’s jewellery has been exhibited in galleries in Canada and the US. His work is included in prestigious private collections around the world. His book, Uncommon Jewellery-Making Techniques, provides illustrated tips on complex skills for advanced jewellery makers.
This is a sampling of the work you will see at the new Peter Bauer gallery at Aphrodite:
I have been wearing and enjoying jewellery by Peter Bauer since very early in his career. Initially, I was drawn to his work by his bold and unique artistry, and knew that he would continue to surprise and please with his rawly original, fearlessly contemporary, and agelessly optimistic designs! Prost!