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Artist Statement:
My parents and grandfather
are biologists; from them I learned to inspect the world in
great detail. I have always collected seeds, sticks, and
interesting stones. My studio resembles an untended garden
as these things mingle with piles of copper bean pods,
stacks of forged silver twigs, and lengths of woven wire. I
design and handcraft jewelry in an intuitive process that
begins with laying out designs for three-dimensional objects
directly on sheet metal with an awl and dividers. Through
trial and error I decide how best to connect seemingly
disparate shapes into unified, wearable pieces by weaving,
soldering, fusing and riveting.
The assumption of jewelry as tactile is a basic component of
the definition of jewelry as distinguished from other art
forms, and it is part of the intimacy of the medium.
Because of this, texture and movement are as important as
color in my work. Many of my pieces open or close, have
moving pieces, bells, or secret elements that rattle within
hollow spaces. I use
mixed metals in my work, building up dimension and texture
through shell forming, folding, forging, punching, repoussé
and chasing techniques. In a simple process where silver
dust and filings are fused to copper sheet, I have found a
method that produces wonderfully reticulate surface textures
and beautiful color contrast. The excitement of the unknown
and the timely recollection of previous ideas, the practice
of creating and distilling forms and concepts, and the
pleasure of seeing others' reactions to my jewelry encourage
me to keep working.
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Artist's
Website:http://www.lenastudio.com |
