The Art of Plastic

The Art of Plastic

20 November – 30 December 2007

Jewellery has always acted as a spokesperson for a particular culture in which it has embodied. It is a broad range of vocabulary, which includes natural organic materials, gemstones, metals, and animal byproducts.

With the introduction of the first plastic in the late 19th century, the plastic jewellery industry had become of age by mid-19th century. Today, as plastic jewellery collecting continues its revival, so many of us are bewitched by the dazzling colors, intricate designs and configurations, and bright and shiny patina.

The Art of Plastic presents a wide-ranging collection of costume jewellery which chronicles social history, illustrating woman’s changing role in society and changing attitudes about femininity and self-worth. It also features the works of Lea Stein, one of today’s widely recognized names in the modern 20th century plastic jewellery.