Aotearoa Jewellery: Unmapping & Remarking
16 April - 2 May, 2026
Feature: Grace Yu Piper (@graceyupiper )
“Stitches and Stones explores the relationship between fabric and stone, facilitating a dialogue between these two materials with myself acting as an imperfect interpreter. While this work focuses primarily on material exploration it is also an ode to my love of rock hounding on the beaches and in riverbeds of Aotearoa.”
Grace Yu Piper is a Aotearoa New Zealand based contemporary jeweller who graduated from Whitireia in 2017 with a Bachelor of Applied Arts.
Her practice explores the functionality of jewellery and seeks to challenge our preconceived notions of what jewellery is. Material exploration is often the starting point for Grace’s work, and stone is her material of choice.
Exhibition highlights include Schmuck 2019 and Schmuck 2026 in Munich, Germany and He momo, nā te whanau — it’s a family trait – The 2nd Aotearoa Jewellery Triennial, at The Suter Art Gallery, Nelson, NZ.
Artwork images courtesy of the artist
@aotearoa_jewellery
#jewelleryaustralia
Now showing at TheSeeHere, 𝘗𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵 by Grace Yu Piper.
2026, handmade paper, thread, 800 x 1600 mm
18 February -15 March 2026
'During a recent artist residency in Taiwan I stumbled upon a stack of handmade paper left behind by a previous artist. Paper is so abundant and utilitarian, I never considered it to be a beautiful thing.
Returning home to Aotearoa I began to make paper in my studio, examining its material qualities and re-imagining it as a decorative quilt.
By assembling sheets of paper as one might piece together fabric, the material shifts from a carrier of information to an object of contemplation.'
@graceyupiper
#theseehere
#theseeheregallery
It's the final week of my exhibition 蕎麥茶 Buckwheat Tea at The National in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
蕎麥茶 (Buckwheat tea) was the first item I learnt to order in Mandarin. Earlier this year, I spent 2 months at YAHAHA International Residency for the Arts in Taiwan. This exhibition brings together a series of framed and wearable works created in response to my time there and subsequent travel through China.
Huge thank you to @yahahatw for all of the bubble tea and looking after me in Taiwan and to @thenational_nz for showing my work.
Embroidery photos by Alvin Ng
These two brooches are currently on display in 'Whakahokihoki: Jewellery from the Dowse Collection' @thedowse 💍
I've loved visiting The Dowse for a long time, I'm a bit excited to have work on display here (and to be in their permanent collection!).
1: 'stitch #6'
2024, fabric, thread, stainless steel
100 x 80 x 16mm
2: 'stitch #7'
2024, fabric, thread, stainless steel
95 x 75 x 18mm
I'm pleased to share that I now have a website! After a lot of procrastination it turns out that it wasn't actually so hard. The shop is still under construction so please dm me if you'd like any last minute xmas presents 🎁
Link in bio
It's been a big journey with @handshake_8nz and just like that it's all over! Thank you and big love to all involved.
Please come and see our final exhibition, on now @theartshousetrust until 16 Feb.
'Stone 1' brooch, 2024, stone, paint, sterling silver and stainless steel
'Stitch 1' brooch, 2024, fabric, cotton thread, sterling silver and stainless steel
Shiney, sparkly things 💎✨
1. Brooch. Agate (I think!), cubic zirconia, sterling silver, stainless steel. 55 x 55 x 10 mm.
2. Brooch. Greywacke, cubic zirconia, sterling silver, stainless steel. 55 x 55 x 10 mm.
Now available at @avidgallerynz ✨
Swamp Witch ✨✨
Opening next Thursday 18 April, 5.30pm at The Jewel and the Jeweller in Ngāmotu / New Plymouth.
A swamp offers an ever-changing, shifting and generous landscape that hardens, softens, resists and remakes itself. Surrounded by moss and lichen it is both a refuge and a menace that shifts, collapses and reforms. This is an invitation to sink and tune in its soft vibrational energies.
A swamp welcomes one and all!
Unfortunately I can't be at the opening but please go have a drink on my behalf if you're in the area :)
Big thanks to Jen @the.jewel.and.the.jeweller and Katie @katieepascoe for making this happen ✨✨
