Materials: Sterling silver, copper, nu-gold brass, blue sapphires, brown diamond, labradorite, and epoxy enamel
Dimensions: 71mm x 35mm x 5mm
When I was a child, a fox had kits in the state park where I took art classes from the park naturalist. This pendant recreates a Fall sighting.
Photo credit: Ericka Crissman, Wired Images
Debra Hoffmaster
Adrian, MI. USA
I derive inspiration from the natural world which includes the materials that I am using. My experiences in temperate and tropical biology often motivate me, as we are rapidly losing much of the diversity that I studied. I try to highlight the gemstones and use the metalwork to create an integrated piece. In addition to mokume-gane and keum-boo, I may use piercing, folding, fusing, and forging to give interest to the jewelry. Function is also important to me. I like all of my pieces to comfortable to wear.
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.
