Materials: Copper
Dimensions: 2" high x 2.85" diameter
This is a copper vessel that I raised from a copper sheet. The landscape on it was made by chasing and repousse.
Photo credit: Asha Ramesh
Asha Ramesh
San Jose, USA
Even as a child I experienced art as a quiet space to connect with the fleeting thrills of life – a butterfly flitting by my window, a yellow rose in half bloom, or the tug of a soaring kite at my hand. From these inspirations I would create pictures on bits of paper and trade them with my classmates for a coveted pencil, an eraser or purely for the delight on their faces.
It gives me deep satisfaction to work with the strength and malleability of metal to transform my thoughts and emotions into tangible objects. I enjoy making jewelry that has dual meaning. I will often hide surprise messages in my work that wearers may choose to share or not.
My vessel was raised from a sheet of copper with metalsmithing hammers and stakes. Lines and textures were defined with chasing tools. The dimension of the landscape was formed with repousse tools. These simple handmade tools and the techniques of using them have stayed virtually unchanged over time. I cherish them as my bridge to artisans of centuries past.
These containers and vessels definitely hold their place in the world of stunning art objects as well as in the world of metalsmithing.
Since the dawn of time humans have created containers to hold things that were important to them, from large vessels to hold food and harvests to intimate containers for small precious things. They might hold memories, ashes, medicine, beverage, fruit or food - but all spring from the imagination and skill of the maker. Some have specific religious functions, some are meant for everyday use. When one thinks of a vessel or container the inclination is to think of something with solid walls - yet many of these works involve the exploration of positive and negative space, and the use of negative space to help create the illusion of the wall of the vessel.
As the world’s largest jewelry related internet site, Ganoksin strives to develop exhibitions showcasing work from around the world. This exhibition was open to all metalsmiths, professional and amateur, advanced and beginner. Participants are from The Netherlands, the USA, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Colombia, Romania, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia and Denmark. While most of the pieces are by an individual metalsmith, some are collaborations, one of three artists spanning 50 years.
In total 319 artists contributed 729 show pieces for the permanent online exhibition.
Objects in the exhibition include boxes, lockets, urns, ash containers, bowls, wine cups, reliquaries, match holders, vases, teapots, pitchers, sugar bowls, baskets, nests, pillboxes, clutches and a range of sculptural forms. A variety of techniques are showcased covering a wide range of metalsmithing techniques. Materials used include everything from gold and silver to less expensive metals. Ornamentation includes the addition of enamel, chasing and repousse’, gemstones and found objects.
The exhibition was curated by Beth Wicker, President of the North Carolina Society of Goldsmiths in the United States, and Adjunct Instructor at Northeastern Technical College in South Carolina. Director of the exhibition is Hanuman Aspler, founder of The Ganoksin Project, the world’s largest internet jewelry site.