Mr Thato Radebe

Overview

Qualifications University of Johannesburg 2010: NDip (Jewellery Design and Manufacture) 2011: BTech (Jewellery Design and Manufacture) 2015: BA Honours (With Distinction) (Design) 2020: Master of Arts (Design Overview My work is an exploration of multimodality in contemporary jewellery. My field of interest is based on the role and function that contemporary jewellery occupies outside its traditional role of personal adornment. This is achieved by producing work that demonstrates a clear wearable and conceptual approach – depending on how one interacts with the work - thus making it both personal adornment as well as a visual artefact. The work I am currently working on features a combination of precious metals as well as alternative materials such as photopolymer resin and grass. As a contemporary jeweller it is important that we use alternative materials because they are a defining characteristic of contemporary jewellery as they raise questions of material value, reinvention, recycling and sustainability. Combining them with precious metals to make contemporary jewellery challenges the traditional concept of value. My current work has an autonomous identity beyond the wearable Volunteer Experience Thuthuka Jewellery Development Programme Design Mentor: 2014 – 2016 Helen Joseph hospital Nelson Mandela day 2011 volunteer Work Experience Elegance Jewellers (2010) Jewellery manufacturer Assisted the head workshop manufacturer in the daily manufacturing jobs in the workshop Akapo Jewels (July - December 2010) Freelance Intern Worked under Mr Labi Kapo as a freelance jewellery manufacturing intern. I was exposed to a variety of technical jewellery skills as a means to upskill myself for my future studies Durban University of Technology (June 2012 - December 2013) Jewellery manufacturing lecturer 1st year jewellery design lecturer and co-ordinator. I was responsible for the co-ordinating of the 1st year jewellery design programme including frequent communication with the various 1st year module lecturers to ensure that the programme was running smoothly. As a lecturer I was responsible for the teaching and administration of manufacture, design and CAD University of Johannesburg (January 2014 - December 2015) Jewellery manufacturing lecturer 2nd year jewellery design lecturer and co-ordinator. I was responsible for the co-ordinating of the 2nd year jewellery design programme including frequent communication with the various 2nd year module lecturers to ensure that the programme was running smoothly. As a lecturer I was responsible for the teaching and administration of manufacture, design and CAD. I was also employed as the workshop technician responsible for the upkeep of the department. The Foschini Group (January 2016 - June 2016) Merchant buyer (Sterns and American Swiss) I was responsible for the buying of various styles in the diamond division at Sterns and American Swiss. The role included working with a merchant planner to identify new styles and source them from suppliers at the best price possible. University of Johannesburg (July 2016 - Present) Jewellery manufacturing lecturer 1st and 2nd year jewellery design lecturer and co-ordinator. I was responsible for the co-ordinating of the 1st and 3rd year jewellery design programme including frequent communication with the various 1st and 3rd year module lecturers to ensure that the programme was running smoothly. As a lecturer I was responsible for the teaching and administration of manufacture, design and CAD Exhibitions and Creative Outputs PlatAfrica Awards (2009) Merit Award Awarded a merit award in the student category for the 2009 AngloPlat Plat Africa Awards. Thuthuka Product and Jewellery Development (2009) Highly commended Award Awarded a highly commended award in the senior student category for the 2009 Thuthuka Product and Jewellery Development Awards. Samsung Inspire Design Awards (2014) Winner - Jewellery category Winner of the 2014 Samsung Inspire Design Awards (Jewellery Category) Hallmarking UJ Jewellery: An emerging brand (2014) Group Exhibition I was part of the 2014 UJ Jewellery Design group exhibition where the UJ Jewellery Alumni came together in an exhibition to showcase their best work. Woven through time: 2011 - 2017 (2017) Solo Exhibition A solo exhibition where I was reflecting on my journey as a jewellery design professional through an experimental body of work that spoke to my art-craft-design paradigms of indigenous weaving. ASAP to 4IR exhibition (2019) Group Exhibition I was part of the ASAP to 4IR group exhibition organised by a company I co-founded called South African Jewellery Week. ASAP to 4IR was an exhibition where contemporary jewelers from around South Africa were given an opportunity to showcase their work alongside one another. SAJW x NYCJW (2020) Group Exhibition I was part of the organising committee for a collaboration between SAJW and NYCJW where we compiled a virtual exhibition showcasing South African jewellery talent on an international platform. The work on display was the jewellers current ranges and they were encouraged to make expressive ramp pieces to show their talent.