Prized Peel pearl ring

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE gold and silversmith Tim Peel has taken a major step towards realising a life-time ambition “ … to be as good as any master who has gone before me”.
Mr Peel was awarded the Premier’s Award for Excellence at the Tasmania Craft Fair earlier this month for a sculptural ring set with a large South Sea pearl and precious gemstones.
The $10,000 acquisitive prize was judged by Dr Gerry King, internationally renowned glass artist, Ken Lockwood, publisher of Craft Arts International Magazine and Larissa Bartlett, wife of former Tasmanian Premier David Bartlett.
The award is the highlight of the event, which has been widely recognised for more than three decades as one of Tasmania’s most important and prestigious cultural events.
Mr Peel, who with his wife Liz established Silvermist Studio in Healesville 13 years ago, said the win was mind-blowing.
“You select a piece you feel is your best work and enter for artistic excellence, but I never expected to be in with a serious chance,” he said.
“This is the sort of thing that happens to other people.”
The stunning ring was created as part of what Mr Peel describes as “ … an ongoing exploration of the blurry boundary where jewellery ends and sculpture begins”.
The award is a significant achievement in his successful 20-year career as a gold and silversmith.
“It is an incredible privilege and honour to be called a master of my craft by such highly respected and experienced judges,” he said.
“There is a lot yet to achieve, and further to go to realise my real ambition to be as good as any master who has gone before me,” he added.
“It’s about striving for excellence in everything I do.”
Mr Peel, who is one of the founders and a participant of the Yarra Valley Open Studios, and a director of Mud Glass Metal gallery in Healesville, said the award would help raise awareness of the growing profile of arts in the Yarra Valley.
“The arts has the potential to become as important to tourism and our community as food and wine are,” he said.
The Yarra Valley was also represented by Healesville Glassblowers in the arts area and Ricci’s Bikkies who were part of the gourmet pantry.