Politically Speaking: New American Ideals in Contemporary Jewelry
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 27, 2016
In this landmark election year of unprecedented maneuvers, contested practices and fundamental ideological polarization, the Craft in America Center presents an exhibition of art jewelry that confronts the topical issues that Americans are facing. Through the lens of wearable sculpture, artists tackle a myriad of focal socio-political concerns. Their work offers commentary, elicits deeper conversation and sheds light on our aspirations as a society.
The wearable object has been a deeply explored medium of expression for decades. Artists have increasingly imbued their work with communicative power while investigating new materials and processes. Political and personal declarations by both the maker and wearer are often inherent to these small-scale sculptures. In addition, jewelry has the ability to engage with viewers on a level of intimacy. The significant and long-standing history of campaign pins, badges and buttons instills this group of art works with added contextual significance. Jewelry is an ideal artistic realm for political debate.
This group exhibition of work by fourteen jewelry pioneers and emerging leaders will include pieces that examine our political landscape directly and metaphorically. Through imagery, representation and narrative, the discourse speaks visually. In some examples, hopes and fears are depicted metaphorically as underlying themes. This show will be an opportunity to consider the key issues of 2016 as reincarnated in physical form with power, intrigue, humor and lyricism.
The artists include Deborah Boskin, Jana Brevick, Kathleen Browne, Kat Cole, Sandra Enterline, Laurie J. Hall, Trudee Hill, Tiff Massey, Taweesak Molsawat, Joyce J. Scott, Christina Smith, Roberta and Dave Williamson, and Nancy Worden.
Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016Nancy Worden, Beans in Your Ears, 1996Nancy Worden, Beans in Your Ears, 1996Nancy Worden, Beans in Your Ears, 1996Trudee Hill, 37 Minutes, 2010Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004Jana Brevick, Target Practice Necklace, Moving Target Series, 2006Jana Brevick, Tracking Device Necklace, Eavesdropping Series, 2010Jana Brevick, Tracking Device Ring, Eavesdropping Series, 2010Jana Brevick, Target #10 Pendant, Moving Target Series, 2006Jana Brevick, Power Supply Necklace, 2015Jana Brevick, Power Supply Necklace, 2015Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Race/Gender/Politic, 2016Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Politic, 2016Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Gender, 2016Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Politic, 2016Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Gender, 2016Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Race, 2016Tiff MasseyTiff Massey, Mirror 1, 2016; Gem, 2016; Mirror 2, 2016 (l-r)Tiff Massey, Gem, 2016Tiff Massey, Mirror 2, 2016Tiff Massey, Full Extraction, 2016Tiff Massey, Mirror 3, 2016Tiff Massey, That Girl, 2016; MIrror 4, 2016; What up Doe, 2016 (l-r)Tiff Massey,
B(l)ack then they didn’t want me now I’m hot they all on me, 2016Tiff Massey, That Girl, 2016Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015Kat Cole, Oil and Water: Huntington Beach Brooch, 2016Kat Cole, Black Gold Pendant, 2014Kat Cole, Black Gold Pendant, 2014Kat Cole, Fields of Oil, 2016Kat Cole, Fields of Oil, 2016Sandra Enterline, Oil Derrick, 2011Sandra Enterline, Oil Derrick, 2011Sandra Enterline, Titusville Chandelier, 2011Sandra Enterline, Titusville Chandelier, 2011Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005Taweesak Molsawat, Tank Route, 2005Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004Laurie J. Hall, Political Theater Necklace, 2016Laurie J. Hall, Political Theater Necklace, 2016Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets…The First First Lady Pendant, 2016Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets…The First First Lady Pendant, 2016Roberta and Dave Williamson, George Washington Pin, 2016Roberta and Dave Williamson, Which Way?, 2016Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets Necklace, 2016Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets Necklace, 2016Kathleen Browne, Abandoned Brooch, 2016Kathleen Browne, Rubble Brooch, 2014Kathleen Browne, Repair Necklace, 2012Kathleen Browne, Repair Necklace, 2012Kathleen Browne, Patched Brooch, 2016Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
