This exhibition follows the award to Mari Syrén of the GHAT exhibition prize, presented at the Society of Scottish Artists’ Exhibition in Edinburgh.  The exhibition is jointly funded by the Arts Council of Finland.

Exhibiting together since 1999, Mari Syrén & Anna-Leena Haaramäki, two artists from Finland, share the same view in jewellery making, especially concerning jewellery art. 

‘I've always been interested in kitsch and so-called bad taste. Mythology and fantasy are extremely inspiring for me. In any case, my works contain a certain dose of humour – sometimes even grotesque –and even serious issues can be processed by means of humour.
My principal material is silver. In addition to various metals, I frequently use many other materials, such as plastic, glass, stones, paper, and even silicone.
One of the works in the exhibition (Barbies secret dream), which is made mainly of silicone, won a prize “Unique use of materials” in Wearable expressions -biennal in California last year.’

Mari Syrén  

‘I like to use humour in my works and I get inspired by nature and architechture. Simplicity and geometric are also words which reflect my works.
My works can include all types of material. For jewellery I mainly use silver together with stone, bone, wood, plastic, recycled materials, etc.
I also make larger works, installations or so called wall jewellery. Materials in these are mostly recycled, for example reflectors and valve taps.’