Anna Davern – 'Shirley and Dolores', Neckpiece 2020

These neckpieces form part of an ongoing larger body of work that is a fantastical retelling of an 18th Century voyage of discovery and colonisation. The imagery features British and Australian references with an uncanny coalescing and hybridisation of characters and tableau that question who is the victor and who the vanquished.

The neckpieces are portraits of the major players in this journey of exploration and exploitation. Their form and size reference breastplates bestowed upon worthy individuals in recognition of their contribution to the expedition.

"My practice incorporates the technique of metal collage and assemblage to question long-held ideas about Australia's cultural identity. Issues of colonialism and multiculturalism are all tackled in a process of filtering and selecting materials to create narratives that act as both cultural commentary and as humorous acknowledgement of the hybrid nature of contemporary Australian society."

Anna Davern gained her undergraduate degree from Sydney College of the Arts in 1993 and completed her Masters degree at RMIT in 2003. In 20 years of practice, Anna has held three solo exhibitions at Craft Victoria and has been represented in numerous Australian and international solo and group exhibitions including selection for Schmuck in 2025. In 2011 she co-founded Northcity4, an ARI that provided professional and creative opportunities to the Australian contemporary jewellery community.

Anna has been the recipient of grants from the Australia Council, Arts Victoria and NAVA and she was awarded the Chairman's Prize for Innovation in the Victorian Craft Awards, 2017. In 2007 she undertook a residency at the Estonian Academy of Art. Anna has taught and lectured at universities and TAFEs in Australia and at the Estonian Academy of Art. Anna is a well-respected artist within the Australian contemporary jewellery and craft communities.

—