Materials: Sterling silver, vintage watch date dial, jasper, resin
Dimensions: 2.5 cm diameter
We each follow the days of the calendar, but to each, the new day brings on something different.
Photo credit: Naomi R. Muirhead
Naomi Rachel Muirhead
Florence, Italy
Made in Italy: rescued and recycled art objects and jewelry made from sterling silver and found materials such as vintage watch parts, old maps, game pieces, Italian text, photographs. Re-purposed for a new life while honoring the past imprint of the object’s history. “Timeless” pieces literally halted in time, preserved. Details magnified. Phrases and words taken out of context. Quotidian materials made precious. Memories. Moments. Places. Journeys.
Originally from the Chicago area, I have also resided in Madrid, Seattle, San Francisco, and live and work in Florence, Italy since 2000 where I teach university-level jewelry courses. I hold degrees in painting, interior architecture, jewelry arts, and have exhibited and sold work in the US and Europe.
Ganoksin hosts the jewelry list Orchid, with over 13,000 list members from all over the world, speaking from a wide range of technical and aesthetic experiences. The exhibition theme grew out of a desire to celebrate the creativity encompassed in this wide variety.
Artists were free to interpret the theme in any way they chose. Each artist could submit up to six pieces. Interpretations include uniting different materials into one cohesive form; intellectual and emotional “unitings”, where the meaning of the piece unites multiple concepts; the uniting of time - past, present and future; and a number that focus on the harmony created when uniting multiple materials and/or concepts.
The work submitted involved a wide range of jewelry techniques, from very traditional to very cutting edge, as well as using materials from traditional precious metals and gemstones to “re-purposed” and “up-cycled” materials.
The exhibition showcases 330 images chosen from entries from over 111 artists representing 26 countries.
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Serbia, Spain, Trinidad, Turkey, UK, USA, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands
Many of the participants began their interest in jewelry at a young age. Some are relative newcomers to the field, and some have over 35 years of experience as professional jewelers and goldsmiths. While some grew up in families that were goldsmiths, and followed in those footsteps, others only began creating jewelry as adults.
