Today I went to visit the gallery, as I hadn’t been in ages and was shocked to discover the sad news. Although I didn’t know Mari personally I admire her greatly for her work and her gallery. I really hope someone continues on with her fantastic gallery as it is truly a Melbourne gem.

Carla   May 15, 10:19 PM

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Mari.
We extend our deepest sympathies to you for your terrible loss.
May her soul rest in peace.
In deepest sympathy,

jun konishi   May 16, 12:42 PM

I was very sad to hear of Mari’s passing. I have one of her early pieces – so unusual & exquisite. It’s a very precious and unique piece that I wear with rememberance of her talent and the loving occasion it was given to me. May she be in peace.

Lana Cecil   May 16, 02:08 PM

I am deeply saddened to hear of Mari’s passing. Her work will forever be an inspiration to me.

Michelle   May 16, 03:40 PM

Although I didnt know Mari I was aware of her work and she has provided much inspiration to me and students of jewellery design in the UK. Her reach was far

Sandra Wilson   May 16, 05:04 PM

What an inspiration Mari has been to so many of us and what a terrible, terrible loss.

Helen Bowman   May 17, 08:37 AM

Her passing is heartbreakingly sad but I will always remember Mari not only for her talent and inspiration but also for her beauty and grace.

robyn hoyland   May 17, 11:59 AM

Farewell Mari, your legacy is great but it does not diminish how much you will be missed. Love and respect.

Anna Davern   May 17, 09:22 PM

I am extremely sad to hear this news. Another reminder that life short, to be treasured, and lived with as much truth and lightness of heart as can be mustered.

Dawn   May 17, 10:03 PM

I am very sorry to hear about Mari’s passing. With deep respect for who she was and what she did, Liesbeth den Besten

Liesbeth den Besten   May 18, 06:29 AM

I was very sad to hear about Mari’s passing. I really admire her work and all she has done with Gallery Funaki.

Maree   May 18, 08:05 AM

Maker’s sleights of hand,
Visible still through the glass,
Mari Funaki.

David   May 18, 10:54 AM

Nick and I were very sad to hear about Mari’s passing. Her own work was beautiful and stunning, the gallery brave and supportive. Jane and Nick

Jane   May 18, 05:24 PM

So saddened to hear this news, Mari’s work has enriched my life in so many hidden and secret ways. May we one day meet soul-to-soul.

Paige   May 19, 11:05 AM

Such a huge loss, her legacy immeasurable. Mari will forever continue to be an inspiration and torchbearer.

natalia   May 19, 03:37 PM

i was very sad to hear about Mari’s passing. a school trip to her gallery planted the seed to learn and create. she will be missed but not forgotten

Julie   May 19, 10:40 PM

Though I have only met Mari once I think in one of my many visits to her gallery, I am saddened by this enormous loss of talent. She is a creator of such beauty and refinement. May you rest in peace and bear beauty where ever you go and may be…….

Mark   May 19, 11:36 PM

Oh that is so sad. I love her work, and would have loved to have seen more of it! Oh, too soon!

Toby Horrocks   May 20, 11:49 AM

One of my favourite designers. What a loss!

Jas Hugonnet   May 20, 12:12 PM

Deeply deeeply sadened to hear of the passing of mari. A great loss to the world.

Charles Anderson   May 20, 12:18 PM

Mari’s spirt and quite stillness inspired many. Her work will continue to speak of her beauty for generations to follow. A sad and tradgic loss but a blessed return to that from which she came. Rest in peace.

Dean Alexander Homicki   May 20, 01:07 PM

A talent and true inspiration, Mari changed the face of contemporary jewellery in Australia with her gallery. Her knowledge and guidance was of great benefit to the jewellery collection at the Art Gallery of South Australia. I will miss her…

Robert Reason, Curator   May 20, 01:14 PM

This is a terribly, terribly sad news. Mari, her work and her gallery have been an inspiration for jewellery students and practitioners for many years. She was so brave to start her gallery, one of the first of its kind in Melbourne, I believe. She will be remembered with great admiration and respect.

Catrine Berlatier   May 20, 08:21 PM

Dear Katie,

I am so deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Mari. I feel the heart of every Melbourne maker is aching at the loss of such a beautiful soul as Mari. She will live on not only in her work but in our hearts.

Sam Horstman

Sam Horstman   May 20, 10:07 PM

Australia has lost a treasure.

M Allan-Grafetstetter   May 21, 01:05 AM

A very sad and important loss, felt by many here too, especially those who had the pleasure to meet her.

Christophe Burger / Corpus   May 21, 07:15 AM

i feel exceptionally sad to hear of mari’s passing and her loss to melbourne’s design community. may her inspirational legacy supporting independent designers continue in her spirit.
i shall treasure my mari piece ever more.

kirsten johnstone   May 21, 12:25 PM

We are shocked and deeply saddened. Our condolences to you all. She was special.

Gerry Fleming & Sally Harding   May 21, 12:45 PM

We were shocked & saddened to learn of Mari’s passing. Through her creativity & patience she created my unique engagement & wedding ring which we will treasure always. Thankyou Mari

Kim & Danny   May 21, 01:17 PM

Thank you Mari for being an inspiration to my work for many years. I am so saddened to hear the news of her passing today.

Helen Kontouris   May 21, 05:47 PM

I have never met Mari but her gallery has inspired me to open first contemporary jewellery gallery in Asia Pacific.I really hope someone continues on with her fantastic gallery.

Vivek Chaudhary   May 21, 09:12 PM

A wonderful artist who was so generous with her energy, knowledge and enthusiasm. Very saddened to learn of her passing.

Marcus Bunyan   May 21, 11:24 PM

How sad to hear of Mari Funaki’s passing today. Mari was a consumate artist and metalsmith and a constant inspiration to those of us who were lucky enough to have been on the receiving end of her knowledge, which was always shared with such grace. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Gaynor Cross   May 22, 03:24 PM

I have admired Mari’s work. She will be missed. Australia has lost a real treasure.

Sophia Koulbanis   May 23, 02:50 PM

This is a sad sad loss to our community. My thoughts are with Mari’s family and close friends. We have lost a local treasure and she will be greatly missed.

Vicki Mason   May 24, 08:18 AM

I remember feeling such joy and enthrallment on seeing the strong and unusual beauty of Mari Funaki’s work for the very first time. This encounter also ended a long search for my wedding ring. My husband and I have loved and admired her captivating artistry in the years since then. Our deepest sympathy to those of you closest to her. She was an amazing artist and we will miss her.

Mili and Franklin, Fremantle   May 24, 05:53 PM

Mari’s beautiful rings were an inspiration to our marriage and an expression of the best that Melbourne can be. Mari herself was grace incarnate and always just so totally stylish. We visit the Gallery everytime we return to Melbourne. We are really
sad to hear of this news. We hope the Gallery continues as a standard-bearer for our home town.

Kimberley and Tim, Hong Kong May 25

tim and kim   May 26, 10:16 AM

Mari, you have left an extraordinary legacy Melbourne will never be the same.

Sue Fenton   May 27, 05:15 PM

From miles away, I greatly admire Mari´s jewellery and I regret her passing.

carme collell   May 29, 04:45 AM

Mari’s work truly inspired, awoke and challenged my perceptions of art jewellery. I am very saddened by her passing and so sorry for her loved ones’ loss.

sarah heyward   May 29, 02:26 PM

Mari made a significant contribution to ensure the success of Contemporary Australian Silver & Metalwork Award through her support and contribution over the past ten years as a judge and advocate for the exhibiton. She will be greatly missed.

Buda Historic Home and Garden   May 31, 04:08 PM

ONCE IN A WHILE A TRUE TALENT EMERGES AND GLOWS BRIGHTLY AND THEN THEY ARE GONE BUT THE TRUE GENIUS OF THAT INDIVIDUAL LIVES ON IN THEIR WORK AND IN THE PEOPLE THAT THEY INSPIRED. MARI WAS ONE SUCH PERSON AND HER HUMILITY WAS AS POWERFUL AS THE BEAUTY OF HER WORKS.may she rest in peace

PETER JOPLING   May 31, 04:15 PM

Lovely and delightful Mari, I am deeply saddened by your passing and you will be missed by many for not only your wonderful spirit and joy for life, but of course, also your remarkable talent. We never did get to go for that weekend country drive, and now I can only regret that I did not make the time. rest in peace beautiful woman xx

Harley Young   Jun 1, 10:22 AM

She had an incredible gift of refinement, beauty and generosity. Her spirit touches us still.

Alison   Jun 2, 10:11 PM

Mari was a constant inspiration and admiration in my life, her contribution towards Australian contemporary jewellery was undeniable and significant. you will be sorely missed, but always remembered.

Hannah Ren   Jun 2, 10:16 PM

Mari, you were such an inspiration, and a caring guide to all who came into your gallery. Thank you for the welcome you always gave, and the interest that you generously shared with all the students about contemporary jewelry.
I am very sad at your passing and will miss your presence in this life.

Helen Collyer   Jun 3, 02:27 PM

Cam and I are deeply saddened by Mari’s passing it all seems too brief. Thank you.

Huyen Bui   Jun 4, 12:16 PM

Thanks for all you have done during the years.

Sofia Björkman Gallery Platina   Jun 8, 06:18 AM

My work did a brief stop in the gallery Funaki during one of the Funaki Award’s exhibition. I never though got the chance to meet Mari personally but I imagine the gallery being a clear projection of her view upon jewelry and I do hope the gallery continues existing and keeping her project growing.
My sincere condolences.
Leonor Hipólito

Leonor Hipólito   Jun 15, 03:03 AM

I have just learnt of the death of Mari and wanted to express our deepest sympathy for the loss of a great artist and promoter of contemporary jewellery.

Rita Marcangelo   Jul 30, 06:54 PM

Gallery Funaki is such an inspiring place to view beautiful pieces. Sad to read the news of Mari passing away. My condolences, A.Perry

Anna Perry   Aug 2, 08:21 PM

I was inspired by her work and her journey to become a great artist and jewellery designer.Her encouragement led me too my place in the world as a jewellery designer. Never to be forgotten.Thank you Mari

Lisa Arnott   Aug 3, 08:04 AM

I recently attended Mari’s exhibition at the Ian Potter Gallery and was blown away by her work. I am saddened to hear of her passing, her work really moved me. Thank you Mari

Heather Watson   Aug 29, 08:02 PM