Neo-Gemstones Exhibition- Solo Exhibition of Sofie Boons’ artistic research set up to accompany her PhD Defence.

We invite you to explore Neo-Gemstones, a solo exhibition by alchemical jeweller-researcher Sofie Boons, running alongside her PhD defense.

With crystal growing techniques having been around since the 19th century, man-made crystals now drive innovations in various industries. This has, however, not fully translated into the jewellery industry, where efforts to de-value them have limited scientific interest. The solo exhibition will provide an overview of the PhD research titled ‘Neo-gemstones: An Alchemical Jeweller’s Exploration of Lab-grown Crystals and Related Technologies, Proposing Innovations Whilst Challenging Context, Terminology, and Underlying Assumptions’. Her research includes a historical and contemporary review, exploring why innovations in man-made crystal materials within a jewellery context remain sparse. Furthermore, an investigation into the culture and context surrounding man-made crystals interrogates the differences between these crystals and their mined counterparts, with findings visualised through Critical Design.

‘Neo-gemstone(s)®’ is proposed as alternative terminology for labelling novel man-made crystal materials in response to the identified need for the re-framing and re-naming of enhanced and designed crystal materials when used in a contemporary jewellery context. For more information, visit www.neo-gemstones.com.

This research was supported by the Research England Expanding Excellence in England funding awarded to the Centre for Print Research at UWE Bristol.

Exhibition Dates:

• Public Viewings:
  • Thurs, 28 Nov, 10:00-17:00
  • Sat, 30 Nov, 11:00-17:00
  • Tues, 3 Dec, 10:00-17:00

Location: F-Block Gallery, Bower Ashton, UWE City Campus

Congratulations Sofie!