FOR Sophia Emmett, coal is just another material for making art. She finds it washed up on the shores of Newcastle beaches and from there its transformation into distinctive pieces of jewellery begins.
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“I’m interested in using materials that I find in Newcastle that are relevant to this community, using the resources around us and value adding to the things we consider mundane or not valuable,” Emmett said.
The coal is cut, ground and faceted like a gem. It is set into stainless steel or silver.
“You have to find the right coal of the right consistency. There are all sorts of grades,” she said.
People have differing responses to her coal range of jewellery.
“A lot of people are very sentimental about it. They have worked in the coal industry and are very proud of their mining heritage and that is really interesting. I hadn’t considered that,” she said.
“I get others very excited about the coal being used in another way, as a material that has formed over 30 million years.”
“I get a lot of people who are full-on environmentalists who go ‘Yuk, I hate coal’ and wont even look at it because they associate coal with pollution.
“I get the full spectrum. It’s such a controversial topic in Newcastle because it is such a huge part of our economy and people’s identity but at the same time it is unsustainable.”
Emmett said she was drawn to work with coal because of its “intense blackness”.
“It is quite amazing, it absorbs every colour around it. It’s extraordinary,” she said.
“It collects the sunlight and it’s warm, there is something fascinating as a material.”
Emmett is one of the artists who will be producing work for the Olive Tree Art and Design Market which will feature extra markets in the lead up to Christmas.
Summer markets
November 5, 9am-3pm
November 19, 9am-3pm
December 3, 9am-3pm
December 17, 9am-3pm
For more information: theolivetreemarket.com.au and workshop85.com.au/workshop-85