Makers in Residence: Alexander Brown x Kari Layton

In Common Practise by Kari Layton and Alexander Brown.

As individual craft practitioners, contemporary jeweller Kari Layton and multidisciplinary artist and designer Alexander Brown engage in processes anchored in material exploration via the intuitive production of abstract form. This shared framework of process has led to a collaborative project in which the parameters of retail presentation are expanded, and a clear lineage is defined between abstract object, context and product. The makers will share behind the scenes insights into the creative process behind these works through their Makers in Residence and the outcome will be presented within the Satellite Program.

The final product of this collaborative project will see Brown construct three variations of the display objects utilised in the Lott Studio showroom while Layton will execute an accompanying static installation exploring the order of process and assembly inherent in her jewellery works. The installation will also feature an artistic exploration of both makers formulaic processes via a moving image projected into the showroom window.

Across the three-day Makers in Residence, Brown and Layton will first individually share their unique creative processes with a particular focus on the materials, tools and techniques most important to each maker, and then come together to explore the synergies and differences between their practices.

Photography: by Annika Kafcaloudis.

Alexander Brown is a Melbourne based multi-disciplinary artist and designer with a BA(Hons) Interior Design from RMIT. His diverse creative practice includes lighting, objects, sculpture, and site-specific installations that have been exhibited nationally since 2016. His work across design and artistic case studies question material identity and focus heavily on value and perception. Regularly employing commonplace materials and the repetition of elementary actions en masse to expose a more complex value.

Kari Layton is a Melbourne based Jewellery Designer working with fine metals and precious stones. Layton studied a Bachelor of Fashion at RMIT before moving to Berlin and undertaking a cadetship in jewellery making. Upon her return to Australia she established her jewellery label Lott Studio in 2015. Through her hand work Layton investigates irregular curves and shapes to complement the human body. Her jewellery is steeped in fluidity and movement. Layton designs to minimise or dissolve the need for certain components, while honouring the complexity of workmanship involved in each stage of refinement.