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, 2016
Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016
Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016
Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016
Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016
Joyce J. Scott, Yazidi Sex Slave Necklace, 2016
Nancy Worden, Bean in Your Ears, 1996
Nancy Worden, Beans in Your Ears, 1996
Nancy Worden, Bean in Your Ears, 1996
Nancy Worden, Beans in Your Ears, 1996
Nancy Worden, Bean in Your Ears, 1996
Nancy Worden, Beans in Your Ears, 1996
Trudee Hill, 37 Minutes, 2010
Trudee Hill, 37 Minutes, 2010
Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004
Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004
Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004
Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004
Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004
Holly Anne Mitchell, There Are Two Sides to Every Story: Campaign 2004 Bush Versus Kerry Neckpiece, 2004
Jana Brevick, Target Practice Necklace, Moving Target Series, 2006
Jana Brevick, Target Practice Necklace, Moving Target Series, 2006
Jana Brevick, Tracking Device Necklace, Eavesdropping Series, 2010
Jana Brevick, Tracking Device Necklace, Eavesdropping Series, 2010
Jana Brevick, Tracking Device Ring, Eavesdropping Series, 2010
Jana Brevick, Tracking Device Ring, Eavesdropping Series, 2010
Jana Brevick, Target #10 Pendant, Moving Target Series, 2006
Jana Brevick, Target #10 Pendant, Moving Target Series, 2006
Jana Brevick, Power Supply Necklace, 2015
Jana Brevick, Power Supply Necklace, 2015
Jana Brevick, Power Supply Necklace, 2015
Jana Brevick, Power Supply Necklace, 2015
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Race/Gender/Politic, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Race/Gender/Politic, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Politic, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Politic, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Gender, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Gender, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Politic, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Politic, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Gender, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Gender, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Race, 2016
Christina Smith, Enfranchisement by Race, 2016
Tiff Massey
Tiff Massey
Tiff Massey, Mirror 1, 2016; Gem, 2016; Mirror 2, 2016 (l-r)
Tiff Massey, Mirror 1, 2016; Gem, 2016; Mirror 2, 2016 (l-r)
Tiff Massey, Gem, 2016
Tiff Massey, Gem, 2016
Tiff Massey, Mirror 2, 2016
Tiff Massey, Mirror 2, 2016
Tiff Massey, Full Extraction, 2016
Tiff Massey, Full Extraction, 2016
Tiff Massey, Mirror 3, 2016
Tiff Massey, Mirror 3, 2016
Tiff Massey, That Girl, 2016; MIrror 4, 2016; What up Doe, 2016 (l-r)
Tiff 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, 2016
Tiff Massey, B(l)ack then they didn’t want me now I’m hot they all on me, 2016
Tiff Massey, That Girl, 2016
Tiff Massey, That Girl, 2016
Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015
Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015
Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015
Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015
Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015
Kat Cole, Old Well Necklace, 2015
Kat Cole, Oil and Water: Huntington Beach Brooch, 2016
Kat Cole, Oil and Water: Huntington Beach Brooch, 2016
Kat Cole, Black Gold Pendant, 2014
Kat Cole, Black Gold Pendant, 2014
Kat Cole, Black Gold Pendant, 2014
Kat Cole, Black Gold Pendant, 2014
Kat Cole, Fields of Oil, 2016
Kat Cole, Fields of Oil, 2016
Kat Cole, Fields of Oil, 2016
Kat Cole, Fields of Oil, 2016
Sandra Enterline, Oil Derrick, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Oil Derrick, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Oil Derrick, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Oil Derrick, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Titusville Chandelier, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Titusville Chandelier, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Titusville Chandelier, 2011
Sandra Enterline, Titusville Chandelier, 2011
Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011
Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011
Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011
Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011
Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011
Sandra Enterline, San Agapito, 2011
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Is that right? Neckpiece, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Tank Route, 2005
Taweesak Molsawat, Tank Route, 2005
Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004
Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004
Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004
Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004
Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004
Deborah Boskin, Politics 101, 2004
Laurie J. Hall, Political Theater Necklace, 2016
Laurie J. Hall, Political Theater Necklace, 2016
Laurie J. Hall, Political Theater Necklace, 2016
Laurie J. Hall, Political Theater Necklace, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets…The First First Lady Pendant, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets…The First First Lady Pendant, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets…The First First Lady Pendant, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets…The First First Lady Pendant, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, George Washington Pin, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, George Washington Pin, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Which Way?, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Which Way?, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets Necklace, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets Necklace, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets Necklace, 2016
Roberta and Dave Williamson, Secrets Necklace, 2016
Kathleen Browne, Abandoned Brooch, 2016
Kathleen Browne, Abandoned Brooch, 2016
Kathleen Browne, Rubble Brooch, 2014
Kathleen Browne, Rubble Brooch, 2014
Kathleen Browne, Repair Necklace, 2012
Kathleen Browne, Repair Necklace, 2012
Kathleen Browne, Repair Necklace, 2012
Kathleen Browne, Repair Necklace, 2012
Kathleen Browne, Patched Brooch, 2016
Kathleen Browne, Patched Brooch, 2016
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
Nancy Worden, Mantle for Textual Assault, 2015
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politically speaking
politically speaking
politically speaking
politically speaking

Photos by Madison Metro