Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping

Fresh! Introducing the Pieces of Eight Catalyst Award

Mar 12, 20262 min read

Fresh! Introducing the Pieces of Eight Catalyst Award

Pieces of Eight is proud to introduce our inaugural contribution to Craft's Fresh! Award, the Pieces of Eight Catalyst Award.

Presented annually since 1993, Fresh! showcases the energy, skill and innovation of some of the best graduating students from craft, design and fine art disciplines throughout the state. Fresh! provides an important opportunity for graduates beginning their career as makers. The exhibition fosters the potential of graduating students and provides an insight into new directions of contemporary craft.

Our new Catalyst award is a mentorship initiative lead by Gallery Director Melanie Katsalidis, focusing on professional development, industry insight alongside a financial stipend prize of $1,000.

This year, we selected contemporary jeweller Siobhan Murphy as the recipient of The Pieces of Eight Catalyst Award, 2026, for her work, 'Tension'.

"Siobhan's piece is an exciting and innovative work that aligns perfectly with the ethos of Pieces of Eight. The technical skill and time invested in this piece are truly remarkable. By utilising precious metals and textile techniques, the work explores traditional feminine craft and challenges the dismissal of women's labour and modern notions of beauty. As a female-led business, we intrinsically understand the artist's intention and look forward to offering our mentorship as she transitions into her career as a maker."

Siobhan Murphy is an artist based in Naarm/Melbourne, whose work examines the intersection of craft, decorative arts and fine arts. Combining her inherited passion in textiles with metalwork, Siobhan uses traditional techniques such as knitting and hairwork to examine the similarities between these opposing mediums, as well as cultural ideas held around their respective crafts. In 2025, Siobhan completed an Advanced Diploma (Jewellery and Object Design) from Melbourne Polytechnic.

Siobhan Murphy, 2025. Image courtesy of the artist

“My work is centered on feminine expression, through which I seek to poke holes in modern notions of beauty and value. Through the use of precious metals and textile techniques, I aim to celebrate the precision and dexterity embedded in the decorative arts. The resistant nature of metal heightens the complexity and intentionality behind every stitch. The resulting fabric is highly defined and invites the viewer to pay close attention to the carefully thought out stitch and weave patterns. My work aims to highlight the expertise and manual skills behind traditional feminine craft, which has long been dismissed as merely ornamental or feminine.”

Along with a cash prize, Siobhan will receive a bespoke mentorship session with both Melanie Katsalidis, Gallery Director, and Hannah Chambers, Retail Manager, where they will provide guidance on areas including pricing strategy, artist statements, small-scale production/sourcing, and approaching galleries. The mentorship will also include assistance in structuring a gallery proposal or grant application.

Fresh! runs at Craft from 14th February - 28th March, 2026
Watson Place (off Flinders Lane)
Naarm/Melbourne
VIC 3000

Images supplied by Craft, photography by Claire Armstrong.

Members of the PO8 team with award winner Siobhan Murphy at the opening event for Fresh! 2026. Image courtesy of Craft

Share

Read more

Behind the ScenesMar 5, 20262 min read

Celebrating Pieces of Eight at Mount Monument

Last Friday, the Pieces of Eight team gathered to celebrate our much anticipated, if slightly belated, end of year celebration with a visit to the spectacular Mount Monument winery in the Macedon ...

Loved by many

Bespoke

Such an amazing experience. My bespoke ring is stunning. It is constantly admired and I have people comment on it weekly asking where I had it made. Thank you again Melanie for my beautiful ring ( and my other gorgeous jewellery as well).Fiona

Engagement

I’ve been fortunate to have followed Mel’s work for almost 20 years— and have appreciated the immense effort she has put into her own work, not to mention curating a wonderful group of artists through Po8.Over the years I’ve been able to purchase her work— and it was a no brainer to get my engagement and wedding bands made by her. Her staff are incredibly helpful and kind- and I always make an effort to swing by and see what is in store.Shawn

Sapphire

My partner proposed to me with a Melanie Katsilidis Australian blue sapphire diamond ring. We are absolutely floored by its beauty. The architectural design, the jewels, the cut, it’s just out of this world! Thank you so much to Melanie and her team for all the thought, care and class with which you created our forever treasure!Natalie

Pearls

Pieces of Eight is my go-to for timeless, wearable luxury. The curation is always on point and all the artists in this gallery are incredibly talented. However, Melanie Katsalidis' pieces are my absolute favourite—sculptural, stunning, and unique. I always get compliments when I wear her creations. I own several and wear them constantly. They're effortlessly special, every day. I am obsessed with this place!LTP

Loved by many

Excellent customer service. The staff were helpful from the moment I walked in, through to selecting, purchasing, and resizing a ring. When illness meant I couldn't come in to the boutique, they gladly reorganised. The ring itself is an absolute banger, for what it's worth -- my fiancée and I couldn't be happier! Highly recommended. David

The whole experience has been an unalloyed pleasure: a range of pieces that I enjoy choosing from, staff who are helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and helped make the whole process enjoyable. They handled the online enquiry as efficiently as they do in person. Anne

Pieces of Eight is an Aladdin’s Cave of treasures, show casing some of the most original and creative jewellery and objects to be found in Melbourne, let alone around the world. Over the years I have bought many different items from them and all, without fail, receive positive comments from family, friends and strangers when they see them. Dean

Belinda Esperson

Always a wonderful experience working with the fabulous team at Pieces of Eight! First time working with them on a custom piece, by artist Belinda Esperson. A family member loved the style a brooch though found it a little large so she created a smaller version that was just perfect. Leonie