Retrospect brings together the work of Peter Deckers, a well-known New Zealand jeweller, with twenty emerging and established contemporary jewellers, many of whom have been tutored by him or who have participated in projects with him. The show pays homage to Deckers and 'gives back' to him, as a mentor who has provided opportunity and inspiration for other jewellers.
In 2007, Peter Deckers created Far Sight, a cabinet of works looking back at twenty years of making jewellery since immigrating to New Zealand; a retrospect of his journey with examples of his workmanship. This installation was exhibited at Objectspace and is now in The James Wallace Arts Trust.
Deckers' jewellery practice also extends into curatorial projects; Deep and Deeper Still, the Jewellery Out of Context world tour, handSTAND and Handshake, his mentoring and exhibition programme. Deckers is also a founder member of TheSeeHere.com gallery and website. In February 2012, he organised a four day jewellery symposium JEMposium: Jewellery or What, which brought together New Zealand and international contemporary jewellers.
The 20 other artists featured are: Debbie Adamson, Vivien Atkinson, Renee Bevan, Nadene Carr, Jacqui Chan, Kristin D'Agostino, Cath Dearsley, Gillian Deery, Sharon Fitness, Suni Gibson, Victoria McIntosh, Ross Malcolm, Vaune Mason, Jhana Millers, Neke Moa, Shelley Norton, Lynsay Raine, Sarah Read, Nadine Smith and Raewyn Walsh.
Retrospect is a touring exhibition curated by Jo Mears.
Peter Deckers was born in the Netherlands and completed his early jewellery training and education there. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1985 and completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at Elam, Auckland University, in 2003. He currently works as a lecturer in jewellery and contextural studies at Whitireia, Porirua. A recent 20 year survey exhibition at Pataka, Porirua, highlighted his interest in language through a series of pieces displayed with accompanying sound. Deckers exhibits with dealer galleries throughout New Zealand and internationally. He is the subject of the book, 'Choices of the Hand; a Survey of Work from New Zealand Jeweller Peter Deckers', introduction by Stevan Eldred-Grigg, published by First Editions, Wellington, supported by Creative New Zealand.