The art of elegance and Tiffany & Co.'s new Sydney flagship

Redefining the meaning of luxury and emphasising a long-held respect for Australian artists and their craft, Tiffany & Co. launched its new Sydney flagship store at 175 Pitt Street. Occupying approximately 1,800 square meters across two levels, it is a space unlike any other in the world, and to celebrate the event Tiffany & Co. commissioned nine contemporary Australian emerging and established artists to create bespoke installations and artworks throughout the store. All artworks encompass an overarching concept of Australian nature and Sydney cityscapes with Tiffany in mind. Here, illustrator Gemma O'Brien, drawer and sculptor Camie Lyons and glass artist Lisa Cahill share behind the scenes glimpses into their creative process in the lead up to the final installation.

Gemma O'Brien

"The artwork was centred around illustrative lettering."

"I also wanted to incorporate Australian natives into the piece."

"This area took five hours to paint."

"Almost done ..."

"The completed mural for the Love and Engagement space of the new flagship Tiffany's store."

Camie Lyons

"My drawing practice is integral to my work. I am firstly a sculptor, my work being described as ‘drawing in space’ and the drawing began as a way to document and further explore the line of finished bronze works. This quickly turned into its own practice. The result is a flex and tension in the captured line, there is a truth to its simplicity because it is actually a portrait of types – lines in space being flattened back onto a horizontal plane and the strange creases and patterns this transformation creates."

"I was thinking about the gift of jewellery as symbols of love, commitment, celebration, glamour and individuality and these themes found their way onto the page."

Camie_Lyons_heirs of the past (together)

}When creating the ‘Symbols of Endearment’ series for Tiffany I worked from my bronze, polished, circular sculptures – they reminded me of huge pieces of jewellery and threw strange and abstracted shadows. I was thinking about the gift of jewellery as symbols of love, commitment, celebration, glamour and individuality and these themes found their way onto the page.

I was also seduced by the gorgeous Tiffany blue and wanted to use this in some way relevant to the works and my practice. I developed an intense powered copper patina paint that carried that wonderful legacy of colour onto the drawings.

What a joy this commission has been, thank you Tiffany & Co. for supporting local artists and appreciating excellence in all things beautiful."