Grace Hummerston is a Boorloo/Perth-based artist and designer inspired by the bold visual language of 1970s and ‘80s fashion, culture, and design. Grace’s jewellery embraces individuality, colour, and playful expression using vibrant, high-key paint palettes and Perspex, dynamic shapes, and unique patterns to create one-of-a-kind pieces.

Growing up, Grace’s household was an experience shaped by creativity in its most organic form.

“My childhood wasn’t filled with screens, digital distractions, or cyber space… I was immersed in an environment of rich art, music, and nature.”

With such an upbringing, Grace and her brothers learnt to entertain themselves, thinking creatively, building, and imagining. Her parents filled their home with paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and collected artworks, creating a space where imagination and curiosity thrived; the thread of creativity woven into their children’s lives through freedom of self-expression, exploration, identity, and self-belief.

“Art was a part of the fabric of our daily lives. In a sense, I was raised in a living, breathing art gallery where our understanding of expression, visual interpretations, and a deep appreciation for art and craft were formed.”

From the age of twenty, Grace worked in fashion and the Arts. Always having the desire to immerse herself in her own practice she started an art jewellery business at age thirty-eight.

“I knew I had the capability to build my own creative dream, though I had to pop my head down and work in other professions whilst raising a family. By doing that it gave me the knowledge, understanding, and belief that I could build a creative empire of my own.”

Speaking on her creative process, Grace noted that it is mostly governed by the colours, sizes, and shapes of the discarded Perspex that she uses to make her pieces. Working in a highly organised studio where materials are sorted into colours and shapes, Grace uses a program to design forms that fit each piece of Perspex. Next, the Perspex is laser cut, hand etched, and hand painted by Grace. Each piece aims to emphasise spontaneity, uniqueness, and a sense of play through experimentation.

“My creative energy is generally pumped up by loud music, ranging from ‘70s and ‘80s pop rock, reggae, R&B, soul, and any groove I can find to keep my creative mojo flowing.”

As each piece of jewellery is primarily made with off-cuts of discarded Perspex and found materials, Grace acknowledges that sustainability and ethical production are integral to her creative process. Through this focus on conscious making, Grace aims to create contemporary and eye-catching pieces that function as both wearable art and sculptural wearable objects, embracing the bold in their aesthetic and values.

Beyond fun and spontaneity, Grace hopes her work can evoke a strong sense of individualism and self-expression, some of the values she was taught to embrace growing up. As each piece is truly one-off, Grace hopes that when worn, the wearer can feel the uniqueness of the piece the moment it’s put on.

“The joy people experience when wearing my jewellery is central to why I create. It’s not just about the object itself, but the connection someone forms with it – a bold personal statement that is both expressive and ethically made.”

Images courtesy of Renée Doropoulos and Grace Hummerston.