An interest in the ancient, elemental story of metals and the patterns of the natural world are woven throughout Catherine Hartley’s jewellery practice. The rich colours and textures of metals are drawn out and highlighted in her work, and she often joins various metals so that the contrast between them creates a relationship that amplifies each. When using stones, Catherine celebrates their unusual beauty in uncomplicated designs that place the material first. Seeing jewellery as a vessel for narrative and memory, Catherine’s work echoes the cosmic origins of metals and speaks of natural forces and phenomena, such as the warmth of the sun or the movement of water.
Catherine was born on the west coast of Canada and lived there until moving to London in 2016. She trained as a goldsmith in Vancouver, and has been practicing since 2012. Her connection to the landscapes of western Canada continues to influence her work, alongside those of her more recent home in the UK.
