Michael Ayling – Contemporary New Zealand Jeweller

Michael Ayling is a contemporary jeweller based in Whangarei, New Zealand. His designs challenge some people but his workmanship is exquisite.

Michael Ayling is a contemporary jeweller who sees himself as an artist-craftsman in that he handmakes his own designs. A perfectionist by nature, his workmanship is both precise and fastidious and he isn’t satisfied until he gets both form and finish just right.

Jewellery as mini-sculpture

He says, “I regard my jewellery as mini-sculpture; that’s to say that the pieces are seen from a 3-D point of view as objects in their own right, and they make sense when seen from any angle – tiny pieces of engineering or architecture.” For Ayling, the aesthetics are an interplay of the form he creates and the inherent qualities of the material he has used such as the texture and colour. “I seem to tap into left and right brains, being naturally accurate and geometric, but on the other hand (or hemisphere!), I enjoy fluid organic forms using techniques such as fusing and reticulation which give an unpredicted, primordial outcome.”

God Mask 2 by Michael Aylin – Photo Theresa Sjoquist

Largely self-taught, Ayling spent time working with John Gabriels in the early 70s, and later with Jens Hansen, both of whom provided many insights, but he says that trial and error is also how you learn and that over 35 years, there has been plenty of both.

Academically gifted, Ayling studied medicine at Auckland Medical School. A fellow medical student worked in the holidays for his next-door neighbour, John Gabriels, who had just opened a new jewellery workshop in the city.

Pendant by Michael Ayling – Silver, gems, and natural media – Photo Theresa Sjoquist

“I went along with a friend to have a look and John was very generous with us, providing workspace and some tuition. Until that point, I had never had a single thought in my life about jewellery, but I was almost immediately hooked.” Jewellery-making satisfied a latent interest Ayling had in making things, and he admits at that time to loving ‘perfect shiny surfaces’. He was soon making pieces for his friends and earning a little money with which he bought tools so he could work at home. A year later he took time out of medical school with the thought of earning a living as a craftsman. As he puts it, ‘I tuned in and dropped out’.

Original design

While denying any particular design influences, Ayling says that he loved the smooth sleek Scandinavian style of silversmithing in the beginning, and that he used to admire the work of New Zealand’s Jens Hansen, whose work was displayed in the window of Form Design Gallery in Auckland’s High St.

“I pick up ideas from here and there: often not from jewellery…it could be a gate hinge, or the texture of an autumn leaf..anything that has an element of texture, structure, form and character. …. .. Over the years I have come up with a lot of different generic forms some of which I repeat as variations on a theme. Some become production lines and a few are very unusual and remain as one-offs. Those are my most originals works.”

Eiffelic Tower ring by Michael Ayling – Photo Theresa Sjoquist

Ayling develops his original ideas first for himself and in that sense, is a true artist. For him, the point is to realise the idea; manifest the vision. Doing this successfully provides him with ‘an incredible buzz,’ because it crystallises an ethereal concept into a magical manifestation.

Jewellery for the bold and daring

“Some pieces are made for the daring, the bold, and the therefore, beautiful,” he says. “My ideal is to create something really out-of-the-ordinary and to find a customer who shares my perception. I have also, over time, come to enjoy more and more the service aspect of commissions, where years later, I’ll hear how much a piece has been treasured and even worn to death.’

Ayling, now 63, has taught many young jewellers over the years. and several have gone on to become full-time professional jewellers. “Recently, I was astounded, and gratified, to be told independently by two former students, that I had taught them all they know…a heartwarmimg exaggeration!

Michael Ayling, Contemporary New Zealand Jeweller – Photo Theresa Sjoquist

Source: Theresa Sjoquist interview with Michael Ayling – September 2011

©Theresa Sjoquist