Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) recently hosted an in-depth retrospective event celebrating the journey, artistic research, experimentation, travel, collaboration, and meticulous making behind South Africa–based artist Geraldine Fenn’s groundbreaking solo exhibition, Geraldine Fenn: Dispatch from the Colonies. The exhibition, which originally premiered at Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h in Montreal, served as the inaugural project for AJF’s Solo Exhibition Award, a grant designed to elevate contemporary art jewelers and allow them to execute ambitious, large-scale visions that might otherwise remain unrealized due to financial and logistical constraints.
During the comprehensive online event, Fenn walked viewers through the extensive development process that brought the exhibition to life. Dispatch from the Colonies was conceived as a profound exploration of the complex, often painful power dynamics of European colonization in Africa. To articulate these heavy historical themes, Fenn utilized an array of powerful visual and material motifs, including historical portrait jewelry, traditional trade beads, intricate micromosaic work, and a deeply collaborative framework involving the Zimbabwean beading collective Marigold. The conversation provided attendees with a rare, behind-the-scenes look at highlights from the completed exhibition while shedding light on how the AJF Solo Exhibition Award fundamentally transformed Fenn’s creative practice. According to the artist, the grant provided critical resources that enabled her to conduct extensive historical research, learn entirely new artisanal techniques, forge meaningful international partnerships, and produce a body of work on a scale that would have otherwise been entirely out of reach.
Beyond celebrating Fenn’s remarkable artistic achievement, the virtual gathering also marked the official opening of the next application cycle for the prestigious award, which is officially known as the Linda Peshkin Solo Award. AJF and the event organizers strongly encouraged artists considering a submission to watch the retrospective to hear firsthand testimonials about what the grant can make possible, urging prospective applicants to begin imagining the expansive directions they might take with such a unique professional opportunity.
The special event featured contributions and insights from several distinguished guests closely tied to the exhibition and the grant’s foundation. Among them was prominent gallerist Noel Guyomarc’h, whose Montreal gallery hosted the exhibition; Linda Peshkin, the visionary founder of the grant; and Marta Costa Reis, the dedicated chair of AJF’s Awards and Grants committee. Together, these key figures discussed the collaborative spirit and institutional backing required to bring avant-garde contemporary jewelry from independent studios into international exhibition spaces.
For those inspired by the conversation and eager to explore the foundational elements of Fenn’s exhibition, a wealth of resources, websites, and reference points were shared throughout the event. Attendees and enthusiasts can explore Geraldine Fenn’s artistic portfolio and background by visiting her official website or following her creative journey on Instagram at @geraldinefenn. Similarly, the work of master gallerist Noel Guyomarc’h can be examined through the Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h website and its dedicated Instagram account, @galerienoelguyomarch.
The event also highlighted the various master craftspeople and collaborative organizations that contributed to the technical and conceptual depth of Dispatch from the Colonies. Among them is the Marigold Collective, whose intricate beadwork played a vital role in the exhibition and whose background can be explored further via the Marigold Collective website. Fenn also credited several mentors and peers who shaped her technical repertoire during the research phase. She noted the artistic influence of artist Joni Brenner, while offering specific gratitude to Rebecca Di Filippo, the master artisan who taught Fenn the intricate art of micromosaic. Those interested in Di Filippo’s specialized practice can view her portfolio online or follow her work on Instagram under the handle @RebeccaDEnamel.
As the contemporary art jewelry community looks ahead to the next phase of the grant, AJF has officially made application materials and guidelines accessible to the public. Artists interested in applying for the 2027 Linda Peshkin Solo Award can find detailed application instructions and submission portals online, with the strict submission deadline set for November 15, 2026. Complete guidelines and informational summaries are also hosted directly on the Art Jewelry Forum website.
To further honor the success of the inaugural exhibition, AJF has made available a series of exclusive mini-interviews featuring Geraldine Fenn, Noel Guyomarc’h, and Linda Peshkin. Filmed around the time of the exhibition’s grand opening in Montreal, these short discussions capture the immediate reactions, curatorial perspectives, and foundational philosophies that defined the debut of the Solo Exhibition Award. Audiences can view both the comprehensive retrospective recording and the intimate mini-interviews directly through the AJF platform.
