Over the weekend, contemporary jeweller, metalsmith and long time Co_ta artist Cinnamon Lee won the prestigious MAKE Award for her submission, NOCTUA. 
We are incredibly proud of Cinnamon, whose singular style is both highly coveted by our clientele, and highly regarded by her peers. 
New work by Cinnamon will be featured in our upcoming exhibition, 'Pressure & Time' at BC House, Darlinghurst in November.


Artist Statement | 'NOCTUA' 2025
The moth, an enduring emblem in my work, gains resonance here. Representing metamorphosis and hidden value, it becomes both subject and metaphor. Nocturnal moth species in particular, are often dull in appearance, yet are ecologically vital. The brooch unit of NOCTUA therefore pays tribute to the unassuming Australian Bogong moth. Using an original technique, a pixelated silhouette of this moth is made from hundreds of sapphires, captured between layers of meticulously hand-drilled titanium and silver. Externally, the perforations act as a veil, obscuring the glittering form until viewed from beneath, echoing the moth’s natural camouflage. Up close the gemstones shimmer, but in contrast, with light projected through them, they occlude light, casting a shadowed impression of the moth – an effect that is dramatised by shifting the lamp’s position in relation to the projection surface.
The lamp is entirely handcrafted and purpose built. Materialising the language of electronics, the solid metal form also functions as conduit, each half of the structure insulated from the other as it carries current to the light source. Complimenting this, the pivoting circular brooch housing refers to tools of observation such as optical instruments, lenses and scopes.
NOCTUA invites reflection on the aesthetics of discretion and discovery. When the brooch is worn, the moth recedes like an apparition inviting closer inspection. When removed, the reverse reveals a glittering surface, transforming adornment into an intimate, precious unveiling. Returned to the lamp, the moth becomes an ethereal emblem. Beauty is thus found in secrecy and subtlety, where light plays an essential role and value is found in what is often easily overlooked.
BIOGRAPHY
Cinnamon Lee is an Australian artist renowned for her finely crafted jewellery and lighting. Trained as a gold and silversmith and compelled by an interest in the physical sciences, she unites traditional craft skills with advanced technologies to create precise, conceptually driven objects exploring themes of value, discretion, and materiality. From her unorthodox gem-setting methods to her pioneering illuminated artworks, Lee’s highly inventive, cross-disciplinary approach has established her as an innovator at the intersection of art, design, and technology, forging a unique artistic voice that continues to advance the field of design and redefine the boundaries of craft. Lee holds an Associate Diploma from the Sydney Institute of Technology, a Bachelor of Visual Arts, and a Master of Philosophy from ANU. She has exhibited widely across Australia, New York, London, Germany, Hong Kong and Japan, and her work is held in public collections such as the National Gallery of Australia.
The MAKE Award
The MAKE Award: Biennial Prize for Innovation in Australian Craft and Design is a major national craft and design innovation award initiated by the Australian Design Centre. It showcases designers and makers working across all related disciplines, including ceramics, glass, furniture/woodwork, metalwork, textiles and fibre, and contemporary jewellery.