Laura Deakin — 'Tiny Useful Pot' #16, 2026

These two new bodies of work are a direct result of working closely with Marian Hosking and Blanche Tilden in preparation for the exhibition, Lean In.

"The series Tiny Useful Pots asks the viewer to look a little closer at these vessels, formed with the natural world as inspiration. Marian Hosking's work depicts the Australian flora in its true reality and comments on our use of timber to the point of extinction. In response, these entirely useless pots ask the viewer to consider whether fabricated flora always needs to be ‘useful’ in the pursuit of human progress. By creating objects that serve no practical purpose, I am interested in valuing the natural world for its beauty, complexity and ability to exist beyond our need to consume or control it." - Laura Deakin.

Each pot contains its own ecosystem, with petals, tendrils and pollen in full bloom. Formed using handmade carving tools, these pots share the lost-wax casting technique that Marian Hosking's work so cleverly employs.

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Laura Deakin is an Australian-born contemporary jeweller whose work combines traditional jewellery techniques with modern and classic materials. Using this contrast, her work focuses on contemporary and political issues within the parameters of body adornment.

In 2003 she completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (majoring in Contemporary Jewellery and Hollowware) at Monash University. In 2010 she completed a post-graduate Masters of Fine Art at Munich’s Academy of Fine Art (Akademie der Bildenden Künste). She currently works full-time as an artist and goldsmith and is founder of the label Coral Covey Jewellery.

Laura is represented by Galerie Wittenbrink, Germany & Gallery Loupe, USA. Her work can be seen in permanent collections at The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Museum of Modern Art & Design, Munich and Gallery Marzee in Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

She lives and works in Melbourne/Naarm.

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Lean In

September 5 – October 31, 2026

Lean In brings together new work by three of Australia’s most innovative and established contemporary jewellers: Laura Deakin, Dr Marian Hosking and Dr Blanche Tilden. This exhibition showcases jewellery and objects created through a sustained collaboration between these makers, who have spent time working side-by-side, leaning into each other’s practices, and experimenting across studios.

Lean In is an invitation: to move closer to the work, to notice fine details and to enter the dialogue between artists. It asks audiences to lean into the conversation that unfolds when mentorship, friendship and curiosity intersect with material intelligence and generosity. At once intimate and ambitious, the exhibition celebrates how leaning in can mean listening, supporting, challenging and ultimately expanding the possibilities of contemporary jewellery practice.

Read more about the exhibition here:

Material: Sterling silver 925

Dimensions: approx. 20 x 20mm

Please note when purchasing, exhibition works are to be collected when exhibition closes.