About Monica Szwaja
About Monica Szwaja, it all started as a hobby. After studying at Sir John Cass College, London, I found employment with ‘John Morris & Son‘, a jewellery manufacturer based in Melbourne, when I returned to Australia. After working with them for a short period, my skills improved. I will be eternally grateful for their support and patience.
I realized I had an affinity with metalwork and the craft of gold and silversmithing. I decided to develop my creative interest and become a full-time designer/maker in my practice. It was a little premature.
After many years of developing skills and acquiring knowledge, working seven days a week, twelve hours a day, I finally decided to take my practice to the next level, so I went into retail.
I established a company called Autumn Gold Pty Ltd in 1980. I trained an apprentice and supervised seven staff. In 1994 I decided I didn’t want to be a businessperson, so Autumn Gold ceased trading. I enrolled at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with honours.
After completing my studies, I began assisting students with folio preparation for entry to tertiary education. I also taught Jewellery Design and Engineering for five years at Box Hill Tafe.
While all this was happening, I had numerous exhibitions in Australia, Japan and America.
About Monica Szwaja, what is she doing now?
I now design and make jewellery at my home-based studio on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.
My jewellery is available for purchase from select galleries and online.
Exhibitions
| Date | Exhibition |
|---|---|
| 2018 |
Group exhibition The Goldsmith’s Gallery, San Remo, Victoria |
| 2018 |
Gold and Silversmiths Gallery Guild Exhibition Gray Reid Gallery Melbourne |
| 2017 |
Solo exhibition Qudos Art, Lorne. Victoria |
| 2017 |
Group exhibition Cygnet Bay Pearls, Cygnet Bay WA |
| 2017 | VIP private showing at the Home-based Studio |
| 2016 |
Gold and Silversmiths Gallery Guild Exhibition Gray Reid Gallery Melbourne |
| 2015 |
Solo exhibition at Michael Wilson Gallery, Eltham Gold and Silversmiths Gallery – Guild Exhibition San Remo |
| 2014 |
Solo exhibition – Mingara Gallery, Phillip Island, Victoria. ‘Colours of the Earth’ – The Goldsmith’s Gallery, San Remo, Victoria. |
| 2013 | ‘Gold and Silver Smiths Guild Australia Exhibition’ Ken Gray Alister Reid Gallery. Melbourne. |
| 2013 | ‘Be Dazzled Exhibition’ – Framed Gallery, Darwin. |
| 2013 | Monica Szwaja Recent Works – Ken Gray and Alister Reid Gallery, Melbourne. |
| 2012 | ‘Dogs Tail Exhibition’ – Ken Gray & Alister Reid Gallery, Melbourne. |
| 2011 | ‘The Gold and Silversmiths Guild Exhibition’ Ken Gray & Alister Reid Gallery, Melbourne. |
| 2010 | ‘Jewels from Land and Sea’ Solo exhibition – Framed Gallery, Darwin |
| 2009 | ‘Buda’ Castlemaine, Victoria |
| 2008 | ‘Melbourne City Mission Group Exhibition’ – Michael Wilson Gallery, Collins Street, Melbourne |
| Date | Exhibition |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Solo exhibition – Michael Wilson Gallery, Collins Street, Melbourne |
| 2005 | ‘International Contemporary Jewellery Showcase’ in which I represented Australia – Objects of Desire Gallery, Louisville, KY, USA |
| 2004 | Melbourne City Mission Group Exhibition – Michael Wilson Gallery, Eltham, Victoria. |
| 1999 | Artistic Australia’ I was invited by ‘TAJ Enterprises Japan’ to exhibit in a the travelling exhibition which travelled to eight Japanese cities. |
| 1999 | ‘Mercedes Australian Fashion Week VIP exhibition’ – Diamaru, Melbourne |
| 1999 | I was sponsored by ‘Eiko Jewellery Company Japan’ to exhibit in Kyoto, Japan |
| 1998 | Distelfink, Melbourne. |
| 1998 | ‘Jewellery Showing’ Autumn Gold Pty Ltd., Melbourne. |
| 1997 | ‘One Woman Two Men’ Metro! – Craft Centre, Melbourne. |
| 1997 | ‘Earring Exhibition’ Makers Mark – Melbourne and Sydney. |
| 1997 | ‘Pure Creation’ Finalist collection of the South Seas Pearl Design Award. |
| 1996 | ‘Buda’ Castlemain, Victoria. |
| 1996 | ‘Jewellery Association of Australia Australian Design Awards’ Exhibited Nationwide |
| 1996 | Papillon, Melbourne. |
| 1995 | Markers Mark, Melbourne. |
| 1993 | Lindon Gallery, Melbourne. |
| 1992 | Crafts Australia, Springvale Community Centre Springvale, Victoria. |
| 1991 | RMIT student exhibition Faculty Gallery, Melbourne. |
| 1991 | Jewellery and Metal Smith Guild of Australia. Storey Hall, Melbourne. |
| 1991 | Mornington Craft Centre. Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne. |
| 1990 | RMIT Gallery Exhibition, Melbourne. |
| 1978 | Armadale Crafts, Armadale, New South Wales. |