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Artist statement for senior exhibition 2007

I take the body into consideration as I make each piece of jewelry. Comfort is not my intent; the experience of wearing a piece of my jewelry may not be a pleasurable one. As I make pieces of jewelry to be worn, I cannot escape from the harsh and unforgiving nature of my medium. The sharp metal tears at my hands and fingers as I work with it.

For inspiration I look at relationships of pattern, repetition, and line as they occur in organic forms. Most organisms employ containment as a means of protection for vital and delicate areas. Some organisms have more outward displays of protection than others. Some organisms draw attention to productive attributes that are very sensual and appealing. Attention is a very contradictive thing. It is vital to all forms of life as a means of reproduction and survival. Too much attention can become harmful, something to be wary of and avoid.

We use jewelry to draw attention to ourselves and to make more attractive to others. Why do we adorn our bodies in order to draw attention to the most delicate and vulnerable parts? This idea is counter intuitive and almost masochistic; we are drawing attention to our weaknesses. I do not want the wear of my jewelry to escape from the kinetic performance they have entered into. Jewelry has life because the body gives it life.



Tiffany Brotherton