By Craft Council of British Columbia
Craft Council of British Columbia
Mentor & Metalsmith is an exhibition by silversmith Wesley Harris, in tribute to his teacher Arthur Brecken. The display contains examples of Mr. Brecken's finest silver pieces, Wesley's early works directly inspired by his teachers, and current and new new pieces made in tribute to him. The progression of work both illustrate how Wesley's style evolved out of Mr. Breckens, as well as what influences the latter's work.
Lotus & Landscape Sculpture (2015) by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
Lotus and Landscape
A big influence in both Wesley Harris and Arthur Brecken's works is the Chinese aesthetic. Wesley made this sculptural piece featuring a silver lotus blossom with a citrine and yellow gold centre. The open sphere showcases a mountain landscape with moss agate pools, all reflecting the childhood Arthur Brecken spent in China.
Root Stem Vase (2017) by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
Root Stem Vase
This sculptural vase imitates the look of a weathered tree stump, revealing the Chinese character for "root" in its cross section. Root, "geng" in Chinese, being a close phonetic representation of Arthur's surname, Brecken.
Wanting to capture Arthur's imagination and love of discovery, Wesley Harris included a hidden mouse house at the base of the vase.
Pagoda and Hour Glass by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
The pagoda sculpture is one of the first commissions Wesley Harris received from Arthur Brecken.
Chinese Ring with Jasper by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
A Chinese ring with jasper made with rope like twisted wires, coiled wires, and beads of silver. Showcasing the style of precise soldered construction common in both Arthur Brecken and Wesley Harris's works.
Sterling Water Pitcher
A piece in which the shape of the pitcher serves as its own handle. This work was made through hand wrapping and soldering together 3mm thick wires into the shape of the pitcher, it took a total of 8 months and 231 wires.
Mosaic Bowl & Rings by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
The mosaic bowl shown here consists of sterling silver, copper, and brass handsmithed together.
Bonsai Bowl (2010) by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
Bonsai Bowl
The Bonsai Bowl was made with metal created through the mokume process, in which layers of different coloured metals are stacked and fused under heat and pressure to bond it together.
This piece features 6 different metal alloys; 18K green gold, sterling silver, copper, brass, shakuda, and shibuichi.
Plant Hanger, Brass Water Pitcher, & Stem Vase with Textures by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
A plant hanger Wesley Harris made in 1980 in tribute of the hanging baskets Arthur Brecken kept hanging from trees in his garden.
Brass Water Pitcher
The stem vase with textures was inspired by gardens and features an abstract landscape planted with gemstones and an amber blossom within the base.
Labrador Wave
The birds featured in this piece are arctic terns carved from pure silver, their beaks are made in white gold and the fish in between them from rose gold. The metal contrasts with the iridescence of the blue labradorite surface.
Four Piece Tea Service and Doll's Tea Set by Wesley HarrisCraft Council of British Columbia
The three piece tea service set is the final piece created in tribute to Arthur Brecken, featuring silver and wood That Wesley obtained from Arthur through the years.
Displayed together here with Arthur Brecken's doll's tea set. The tallest piece here is 37mm high and the set is a complete tea service in a style invoking Scandinavian hollowware and Art Deco lines.
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