Pierre Cavalan: Artist Statement & Bio

I am a contemporary jeweller with a passion for creating unique and meaningful pieces of art. My approach to jewellery design is a little different than most, as I love to incorporate found objects into my work. I believe that every object has a story to tell, and by repurposing and transforming these items into beautiful works of art, I bring new life and meaning to them.

I love the thrill of the hunt when it comes to finding the perfect found object to incorporate into my designs. From beach glass and vintage buttons to old keys and rusty nails, I'm always on the lookout for the next great treasure to add to my collection. The process of taking these everyday items and transforming them into something truly special is what drives me as an artist.

My pieces are playful, imaginative, and filled with personality. I want my jewellery to bring a smile to people's faces and evoke a sense of joy and wonder. I'm all about having fun with my work and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of contemporary jewellery, in this unprecedented times.

I've been a jeweller for many years now, and I'm constantly inspired by the world around me. From the beauty of nature to the hustle and bustle of city life, I find inspiration in everything. My goal as an artist is to bring a little bit of magic into the world and make people's lives a little bit brighter through my work.

Pierre Cavalan was born in Paris, France, in 1954 and graduated from the BJO, Paris National Jewellery School, in 1979. He moved to Australia in 1980, where he worked with Sydney jeweller Russel McColough until 1985.

Cavalan has developed a distinctive practice that moves beyond the traditional boundaries of jewellery, exploring the relationship between material, form, the body and the object. His work has been exhibited extensively in Australia and internationally, including major exhibitions at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney; Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Museum of Arts and Design, New York; Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim; Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Montreal; and Château Borély, Musée des Arts Décoratifs et de la Mode in Marseille. His work has also been presented in Paris, Japan, Lithuania, Poland and throughout the United States and Australia.

Significant exhibitions include A Fine Possession: Jewellery & Identity at the Powerhouse Museum; Beyond Bling: Jewelry from the Lois Boardman Collection at LACMA; Ornament as Art: Avant-Garde Jewelry from the Helen Williams Drutt Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; GlassWear: Glass in Contemporary Jewelry at Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim and the Museum of Arts and Design, New York; and Au-delà du Précieux at Galerie Helen Aziza, Paris. More recent international exhibitions include Cosmos, LEM Jewellery at the National Museum of Lithuania in Vilnius and the Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław, as well as exhibitions in Tokyo, Nagoya and Chiba.

Cavalan’s international professional experience has included an Artist Residency at 18th Street Arts Center in California in 1996, followed by a lecture at San Diego State University. In 1997 he taught at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine and was awarded a Blossom Fellowship at Kent State University, Ohio, where he undertook a master workshop. In Australia, he lectured in jewellery and object design at Design Centre Enmore, TAFE NSW, from 1999 to 2024, contributing significantly to the education of emerging jewellery and object designers. He has also served as Chairperson of the Jewellery and Metalsmith Group of Australia (JMGA NSW).

His contribution to contemporary jewellery has been recognised through Australia Council for the Arts Development Grants, First Prize in the National Contemporary Jewellery Award and the Alice Springs Craft Acquisition Award.

Cavalan’s work is held in major public and institutional collections in Australia and internationally. Australian collections include the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, Powerhouse Museum, Canberra Museum and Art Gallery, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Northern Territory Museum of Arts and Sciences, Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery, Griffith Regional Art Gallery, Wollongong Museum and the Sydney Town Hall Art Collection. International collections include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Arts and Design in New York, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art, Fuller Craft Museum, Racine Art Museum, Lowe Museum at the University of Florida, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Montreal, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and the Imperial War Museum in London.
Across more than four decades, Cavalan has established a significant place within contemporary jewellery and object design, connecting his French jewellery training with the experimental and material-driven traditions of Australian contemporary craft. His extensive exhibition history, teaching, awards and representation in major public collections reflect his enduring contribution to the field.

Biography written by Pierre Cavalan with the assistance of ChatGPT, 2026, OpenAI.