Well, they are a gang that think about, make and show jewellery, that’s who they think they are. Dialogue Collective is the healthiest of shoots that grew from an original seed called Dialogue. Dialogue was originally planted in 1999 as a series of collaborative exhibitions between London Guildhall University and Alchimia Jewellery School, initiated by Helen Carnac, MikalaDjørup, Doris Maninger and Lucia Massei. Dialogue Collective then stood on this foundation in 2004 and built the Collective that continues to flourish today. Initially it involved only makers with a connection to London Metropolitan University (formerly London Guildhall University), but then more recently, we recruited likeminded, predominately London based makers, who liked the cut of our jib. Since 2004 Dialogue Collective have presented 32 different jewellery events, which have been shown in 9 different countries.

Breaking away from the Wikipedia style blurb for minute, take a moment to reflect on that achievement, i.e. sustaining a group of feisty and opinionated individuals (apart from myself, who is very cool and measured) in one cogent jewellery gang. Consistently for 21 long years, navigating obstacles that might topple any other group, with an aplomb and a boundless supply of energy. All without a penny of external funding. And what was the point of it all? Well, we have explored jewellery themes and we have investigated how jewellery might be used to explore more universal themes, we have had fun and we have had games, we have informed, we have made connections, we have entertained, we have laughed, we have had the odd drink, we have discovered new things and new people and new places, all through the lens of jewellery.