Dorothy Erickson

My work has varied considerably over the years with enduring interests being colour, geometry and nature.

I work often with stainless steel cable that facilitates movement but also, as my paternal grandfather had a goldmine, I am drawn to the malleability and lustre of the precious metal. I have made bodies of work which reflect the light and landforms of Western Australia and others where the focus has been more on kinetics in jewellery reflecting the movement of native birds, or of underwater life in rock pools along our seashore.

After years of spending time working and exhibiting in Austria one special collection focused on precious gemstones to translate the paintings of Gustav Klimt into jewels to wear. Another was a tribute to my mother the eminent naturalist, historian and botanical artist Dr Rica Erickson and takes Western Australian wildflowers as its inspiration.

My newest collection honours the first professional women artists in Western Australia. It will be exhibited in 2024 together with a biography published by the WAMuseum / Boola Bardip.

Dorothy has exhibited internationally since 1979 and her work is found in private collections worldwide as well as major art museums and institutions in Australia and internationally.
In 1992 she was awarded a PhD for her thesis on the history of jewellery and silversmithing in Western Australia. This was published in 2010 as Gold and Silversmithing in Western Australia: A History. A regular writer on art and design in Western Australia her newest book Inspired by Light and Land: Designers and Makers in Western Australia 1970-21st Century covers over a hundred Western Australians will be published in October 2023.

Dorothy Erickson is open to taking on commissions and her jewellery can be found at Aspects of Kings Park (Perth), Artsite Galleries (Sydney), and Grey Reid Gallery (Melbourne) and online (see links below).