Artist Talks | Robert Foster Metal Prize | Ximena Natanya Briceño, Oliver Smith, David Walker

Join artists Ximena Natanya Briceño, Oliver Smith, David Walker as they discuss their work in the Robert Foster Metal Prize exhibition at Craft + Design Canberra. The Robert Foster Metal Prize exhibition showcases outstanding contemporary metal work highlighting how imagination, high-quality making skills, good design and innovation can regenerate how we see and interact with the world around us. Supported by the Tall Foundation, F!nk + Co Director Gretel Harrison.  

Artists’ Biographies 

Ximena Natanya Briceño 

Ximena Briceño’s core practice lies in the history of art, cultural iconography and its nexus with trade, including craft, fine arts, jewellery and precious metal work developed in diverse cultures and nations. Based in Canberra since 2004, she established her studio ‘Ximena Joyas’.  She was awarded a PhD in Visual Arts in the Gold and Silversmithing workshop at the Australian National University’s School of Art in Canberra in 2011. She continues to make, research and to collaborate with other artisans   producing small batch series of objects works creating a transpacific connection.  Her current works explore diverse materials, the power of iconography (ancient and modern) and meaning of colour. 

Oliver Smith 

Dr Oliver Smith began his tertiary studies in the Jewellery & Object Studio at Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney and completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts in 1995. This was followed by a period of work experience, modelled on the traditional journeymanship, that saw him work for prominent silversmiths and metalworkers in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Germany, and England. Returning to formal study in the Gold & Silversmithing Workshop at the School of Art, The Australian National University, Oliver gained First Class Honours in 2000, and a Master of Philosophy in 2003. Since that time Oliver has maintained an active research profile as an artist and has presented his work through exhibition nationally and internationally. From 2005 Oliver has worked as an academic at Sydney College of the Arts, The University of Sydney and in 2021 was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy. 

David Walker 

David Walker graduated from art school in Manchester, UK, a school with a distinct Bauhaus ethos, majoring in silversmithing with a minor in ceramics. With the idea of becoming an industrial designer he was awarded a postgraduate scholarship to study industrial design. Seeking an industrial design position after postgraduate studies he was offered a post as a lecturer in design in Perth, WA. He accepted, beginning a longstanding career in Australian tertiary education culminating in a professorship at Curtin University, WA. 

Image | 2022 Robert Foster Metal Prize Opening Gretel Harrison with winning artwork by Gretal Ferguson | 5foot Photography