Labyrinth Design

LABYRINTH DESIGN was established in 1995 as a home studio for Silversmithing, jewellery manufacturing and casting for the production of Seanne McArthurs’ original jewellery and precious metal designs. (See www.labyrinthdesign.com.au) Prior to that Seanne worked as a silversmith/jeweller producing one off designs for clients, and exhibiting (1989 – 1995), after her degree training at UNSW COFA.

Vince Smith and Seanne McArthur

Seanne and partner Vince Smith established the studio in the mountains of Kuranda, Far North Queensland, and currently operate from the home workshop producing specialist works in silver, gold and precious Gems. Seanne adopts traditional silversmithing skills in the making of the pieces and they collaboratively practice the ancient art of lost wax casting, for the production of limited edition designs.

Seanne qualified as a trainer in jewellery making and design and lectured at TNQIT Cairns, with certificate level courses. She also runs specialist workshops in jewellery making and design and has worked in arts development projects, arts marketing, and has exhibited at trade shows in Singapore and UK.

Labyrinth Design has been producing one off commission pieces for exhibitions, personal clients and reproduction designs for galleries for a period of 11 years.

Labyrinth Design has also been an intrinsic part in the development of the “Saltwater Collection”, the first ever Far North Queensland Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) produced designs of precious metal art and jewellery. (2002 – 2006)

“It has been an extremely exciting and rewarding project to have developed, start to finish, including production, reproduction and finishing services provided by Vince at the studio. The fantastic talent and fine skills of the artists involved, who have never been exposed to the techniques of jewellery making before, is an excellent example of what can happen in a five-day workshop. Indigenous Australian jewellery has a new beginning, this being the first time for a group of Indigenous artists to create works in precious metal in the history of the medium and the Indigenous culture. We are very proud to have been involved with such talented artists and the project team.”

The ethics of Labyrinth Design is to produce quality works of art for individuals, from the maker. The family philosophy is one of eliminating the middleman, by making and marketing our own Australian made works of art and quality design, so we don’t exploit overseas labour and keep our profits at home. We have dedicated our lives to mastering the art of silversmithing and have created our family business to reflect this, with pride and passion. You can’t buy that!

Works of note have included commissions from the Queensland Art Gallery for “Indonesian Gold” exhibit in 1999, the fabulous “Bodyworks” exhibition at Cairns Regional Gallery in 1997, and International exhibitions in Singapore for Tourism Australia promotions in 2003/4.
Seanne works full time in the business producing her own work, and manufacturing for the Saltwater Collection.

Labyrinth Design is opening an outlet in the village of Kuranda in April 2007. You will find us at the “Original Kuranda Markets”, downstairs at the “Honey House”. Labyrinth Design is also available for reproduction services, private commissions and jewellery training workshops.