Materials: Copper
Dimensions: 8.5" x 7" x 7"
This teapot was created to be exhibited in “The Teapot Redefined” Exhibition at the Mobilia Gallery in Boston. The vessel was hand raised and fabricated from sheet copper and spot welded to create the outside growth and texture. The concept arose from a recent exploration of growth, decay, and repetition of form.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Torgerson-Lamark
Chelsea Fay
Rochester, NY. USA
My name is Chelsea Fay and I am currently studying to receive my BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry design at the Rochester Institute of Technology School for American Crafts. Daughter of a textile artist and woodworker and I was exposed at a young age to a vast variety of artistic mediums. From the first time I picked up a torch I was positive that I would spend the rest of my life pursuing the career of a metalsmith. As a person and a craftsman I am extremely interested in process. I like learning traditional techniques in combination with new innovative ways to approach the task at hand. I have always found a special affinity with pattern and surface design and find myself using repetition of form as a basic element in the work I create. I am currently working on a body of work which explores repetitious behavior in humans and other organisms. Psychological and emotional tendencies are shown visually through parallels in the natural world. I have found in metalsmithing a p assion I know I will not find elsewhere in my life and would like others to be drawn to my work the way I am drawn to making it.
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.