Australia
Barbara Ryman has been a jeweller and enameller for over 30 years. Also an experienced teacher, Barbara’s CV is jam-packed with tutoring roles extending back to the early 1980s –her connection with Sydney Community College began in 1987! Most recently, Barbara established a studio-based teaching practice called Brymfull Design Studio, located at Thirroul near Wollongong south of Sydney.
Barbara’s workmanship has been recognised with many awards and prizes, including the ANU School of Art’s Graduate Materials Award in 2005. She is a worthy recipient of a number of grants that have underpinned her success, such as the Skills and Arts Development Grant, contributed by the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council.
With many collections and commissions to her credit, Barbara has expressed her creative language in many exhibitions over the years, too. In 2009, Barbara’s exhibition ‘Fired up at the Top End’ was featured at the Framed Gallery in Darwin.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, Barbara provides clear instruction and patient support. For Barbara, seeing her students build on their skills is always a highlight. Her particular area of interest in vitreous enamelling – the traditional techniques of applying glass on metal. She derives great joy from sharing this very unique and ancient craft.
Barbara is fascinated by Japan and has recently spent time studying Japanese enamelling techniques. When she’s not creating beautiful jewellery, Barbara enjoys making jams and chutneys, preserving fruit, wine-making and bird-watching.