Wearable cement rings steal show

AUCKLAND PARK – UJ Art Centre revels in innovative cement designs in the wake of the PPC Awards.

March 9, 2016

Amy Ingram 1 minute read

Mignon Daubermann illustrates her pair of cement ring sets at the PPC Imaginarium Awards. Photo supplied.

An up-and-coming, young ring designer, Mignon Daubermann from Midrand, stole the show at the 2015/2016PPC Imaginarium Awards – South Africa’s most supportive art and design competition for emerging creatives.

The PPC Imaginarium Awards challenges its entrants to use concrete as a medium of expression. This year, a pair of tinted cement rings, inlaid with gemstones and shaped into the form of human bones won Daubermann the title of overall winner and R150 000.

The larger of the two cement and steel ring sets is inlaid with gemstones. Photo supplied.

Daubermann’s conceptually-related rings play on the idea that both concrete and human bones are resilient and fundamental for the strength of a physical entity, whether it be the human body or another structure.

A gala event was held at the UJ Art Gallery in Auckland Park on 3 March to announce the winners. Daubermann became a finalist out of 660 entries, and then went on to win in the jewellery category. To win overall, Daubermann’s entry competed against the other four category finalists across the disciplines of film, industrial design, fashion and sculpture.

Daubermann said, “I didn’t expect to win. The other PPC finalists had strong pieces. I am thankful and it was an amazing experience. There was a lot of preparation involved since it is not a common material to construct jewellery out of and I found it intimidating.”

The designer, Mignon Daubermann, feels she challenged herself and pushed the materials used to their limits. Photo supplied.

Daubermann added that she participated in the last PPC Imaginarium. “It was a learning curve as I felt I didn’t challenge the material enough. I feel I pushed the limits this year.”

Daniel van der Merwe, resident architect and academic, said, “We would like to extend our congratulations to Daubermann for exceeding the expectations of concrete in such a captivating way with these pieces of wearable art. And because the standard of this year’s entries is exceptional, we need to particularly acknowledge all the finalists and cordially invite the public to come and appreciate their stimulating, exciting work.”

To view the PPC Imaginarium exhibition, visit the UJ Art Gallery until 24 March, or the Pretoria Arts Association from 1 to 12 April.

Details: UJ Art Centre, 011 559 4674.