Olivia Dryden’s Story

My style of jewellery is particularly unique and I like to describe it as a ‘modern take on taxidermy jewellery’. Using precious metals I reutilize deceased animals and birds for their bones. I believe that as artists, we are fortunate to see the beauty in objects most people do not. I create an amalgamation of these pieces with flora, pearls and gemstones, which people commonly perceive as beauty by society’s standards. This juxtaposition forces people to observe (these) the fragment of death and hopefully overcome the stigma and see the natural beauty that I see.

My curiosity in the macabre is inspired by the Victorian Memento Mori period from the 15th to 18th century. Their acceptance of death and how such a taboo subject, could be shown in such a beautiful way. I was especially interested in jewellery that was made using the deceased’s hair, teeth and a painted lovers eye.

After years of experimenting and completing courses in London, my skills in the art of taxidermy have inspired me to create small wearable art, wall pieces and make beautiful sculptural pieces that can be valued & appreciated by all. When designing my pieces, I draw inspiration from the idea that my works may appeal to people who would normally be shocked by the ideas portrayed. My purpose is to create surprising and lasting objects of nature through the death of these creatures.

Artist CV

Solo Exhibitions

2015 - ‘Life After Death’ Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2017 - 'Little Wonders' at Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2018 - Window Display at 167 Bermondsey, London

2021 – Art Images Gallery, Adelaide

Group Exhibitions

2022 – ‘Let There Be Light’, Art Images Gallery

2022 – ‘Charmed’, Kin Gallery, Canberra

2022 – ‘Animal House’, Art Images Gallery

2021 – ‘Have a Bauble’, Art Images Gallery

2021 – SALA, Naomi Schwartz Jewellery Design Gallery,

2021 – ‘Introspective Connections’, The Main Gallery,

2021 – ‘Introspective Connections, Nautilus Arts Centre, Port Lincoln,

2020 –‘Art for All’ Art Images Gallery, Adelaide

2020 - ‘Zest!’, Adelaide Fringe, Stationmaster’s Art Gallery, Strathalbyn

2019 - ‘About Face, The Monochrome Series’, COTA, Sydney

2019 - ‘Urban Cow Studio Art Prize’, Urban Cow, Adelaide

2019 - ‘Ocean Textures”, SALA, Naomi Schwartz Gallery, Henley

2019 - ‘Pins & Needles”, SALA, ZU Design, Norwood

2019 - ‘Kaleidoscope 2019’ , Helpmann Academy, AC ARTS

2019 - ‘Dissonance’, SALA, BIMBO, Norwood

2019 - ‘Botanical Inspirations’, Art Image Gallery, Norwood

2018 - ‘Summer’, Art Image Gallery, Norwood2017 - ‘Little Wonders’, Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

2017 - ‘Wet, Wild & Wooly’, RSASA, Adelaide

2016 - ‘Authentic Adelaide’, RSASA, Adelaide Town Hall

2016 - Helpmann Academy’s ‘Kaleidoscope’, Peter Walker Fine Art

2016 - ‘Youthscape 2016’, RSASA, Adelaide

2016 - ‘Rainy Days’ Exhibition, RSASA, Adelaide

2016 - ‘Characters of the Fleurieu’, RSASA, Signal Point Gallery, Goolwa

2016 - RSASA Major Fundraiser Art Ballot, ‘Selection Royal 3’, RSASA, Adelaide

2016 - Fringe Exhibition ‘Out of the Box’, RSASA, Adelaide

2015 - ‘The Tugs of War’ - Royal South Australian Society Arts, Adelaide

2014 - ‘EXIT’ Graduation Exhibition- Adelaide College of the Arts, Adelaide

Publications

2020 – SA Life Magazine, July 22nd

2018 - Collage Adelaide, Natalie Carfora, 12th May (Online)

2018 - Royal South Australian Society of Arts history Volume 2, Adam Dutkiewicz

2017 - RSASA Kalori August issue2017 - Eastern Courier, 28th June

2017 - Adelaide Review, 3rd July Jane LLewellyn

2017 - The Advertiser, Louise Nunn, 10th April

2016 - Assam Times, November, India

A Remnant Reminder, 2020

Education

2011 - 2014 Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design, Adelaide College of the Arts

Gallery Representations

2019 -Courtesy of the Artist, Sydney

2022 -Kin Gallery, Canberra

Grants, Residencies & Awards

2021 - Helpmann Elevate Mentorship, Kirra Lea, Hobart

2017 - RSASA Diploma of Fellowship (FRSASA)

2017 - $20,000 Helpmann Academy Fellowship for

2016 - Merit Award, ‘Youthscape Exhibition’, RSASA

2016 - Highly Commended ‘Characters of the Fleurieu’, RSASA

2015 - Helpmann Academy Artist Residency at Sanskriti Kendra, India (6 weeks)

2015 - Associate Artist – Hill Smith Gallery, Adelaide

Professional development

2019 - Podcast interview by Jason Dunstone, Square Holes

2018 - Phone interview with Mercury Press, London

2018 - Volunteer: restorations, Museum of Life Sciences, London

2016 - Conducted workshop with 40 children, Majuli, India

2016 - Radio Interview, ABC Mornings with Geoff Hutchison

2016 - Radio Interview, ABC Afternoons with Sonya.

2016 - Organizing committee for ‘2016 Youthscape’

Taxidermy

2018 - Fox cub, private class, British Academy of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Aus. frilled neck lizard, British Academy of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Baby python, private class, British Acad. of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Crow, British Acad. of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Rouge -Jackalope, British Acad. of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Hamster & Mouse, British Acad. of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Squirrel, British Acad. of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Bat skeleton articulation, British Acad. of Taxidermy, London

2018 - Guinea pig, A Field Guide Taxidermy, London

2018 - Pole cat, A Field Guide Taxidermy, London

2018 - Hedgehog, A Field Guide Taxidermy, London

2018 - Wild rabbit, A Field Guide Taxidermy, London

2018 - Song Thrush, A Field Guide Taxidermy, London

2017 – Small Rabbit, Rest in Pieces, Melbourne

2017 – Mouse, Rest in Pieces, Melbourne