Tipping New Talent - Renee Pearson and Grace Yu Piper

For some years now New Zealand has sent delegations of experienced and up and coming jewellers to show their work at one of the largest and most influential trade fairs in Germany. Twenty-three of them were at the International Skilled Trades Trade Fair in Munich this year, all exhibiting alongside international jewellers hoping to catch the eye of visiting curators, gallery owners and collectors. On the list alongside big names like Lisa Walker, Warwick Freeman and Joe Sheehan, were our guests Whitireia Institute of Technology student Renee Pearson and graduate Grace Yu Piper, who exhibited at the Talente showcase for emerging makers and designers seeking to launch their careers. Renee won the 2018 Talente Prize awarded by an international jury to recognise outstanding new talent in design and technology. A huge achievement - there were about 100 jewellers vying for the top prize.