The first unit of the semester is about color. We had to read an essay and then write a response about what colors we see and are drawn to. Then it was do 5 sketches for a piece of wearable art - we had to make the pin backs, chain(s), or other mounting hardware. We had to write an artist statement about our piece.
Having done a square enamel sample using glass beads on a base color, I chose to use that technique for my piece. The piece would be a brooch and here is my artist statement which describes it.
Mid-Century Modern Amoeba
What is Mid-Century Modern?
It is a design and architectural movement that flourished from roughly 1945 to 1970, defined by clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and a blend of functionality and organic shapes.
Culturally speaking, I am a true product of the mid-century modern era. While "mid-century modern" technically describes the architecture, furniture, and design movements of that time, my birth year of 1955 lands me exactly in the golden age of the style along with being born in the middle of the Baby-Boomer era. I grew up alongside the very innovations, sleek aesthetics, and optimistic post-war culture that defined the movement.
This brooch reflects not only the era, but it invokes a childhood memory of a giant ceramic ashtray that was secretly hidden by one neighbor in another neighbor’s house whenever there was a party. This ashtray, which was in the shape of an amoeba had a turquoise crackle glaze with lots of bright colored dots on it. Each family knew that when one hosted a party it would appear, eventually, in the house; it might take day, weeks, or months but eventually it would be found.
Here are my process pictures. I used chasing and repousse to form the amoeba, then applied the enamel front and back which was then fired. I applied dot of gold foil in the center depression. I hand placed each bead and fired the piece again. Next was to cut out the back plate - holes to show the back of the piece and slots which would form the tabs to hold the piece onto the back place, and cut the slots to form the pin back mechanism.
Having done a square enamel sample using glass beads on a base color, I chose to use that technique for my piece. The piece would be a brooch and here is my artist statement which describes it.
Mid-Century Modern Amoeba
What is Mid-Century Modern?
It is a design and architectural movement that flourished from roughly 1945 to 1970, defined by clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and a blend of functionality and organic shapes.
Culturally speaking, I am a true product of the mid-century modern era. While "mid-century modern" technically describes the architecture, furniture, and design movements of that time, my birth year of 1955 lands me exactly in the golden age of the style along with being born in the middle of the Baby-Boomer era. I grew up alongside the very innovations, sleek aesthetics, and optimistic post-war culture that defined the movement.
This brooch reflects not only the era, but it invokes a childhood memory of a giant ceramic ashtray that was secretly hidden by one neighbor in another neighbor’s house whenever there was a party. This ashtray, which was in the shape of an amoeba had a turquoise crackle glaze with lots of bright colored dots on it. Each family knew that when one hosted a party it would appear, eventually, in the house; it might take day, weeks, or months but eventually it would be found.
Here are my process pictures. I used chasing and repousse to form the amoeba, then applied the enamel front and back which was then fired. I applied dot of gold foil in the center depression. I hand placed each bead and fired the piece again. Next was to cut out the back plate - holes to show the back of the piece and slots which would form the tabs to hold the piece onto the back place, and cut the slots to form the pin back mechanism.
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