A Celebration of Nature
Alyssa W.
Brass, copper, nickel
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My project celebrates the delicate beauty of nature through usually stern metals like copper and brass. In the flowers, I made a deliberate effort to achieve a delicate and soft appearance, aiming to conceal the metallic nature of the materials as much as possible. However, in the oxidized copper/brass orchid necklace, I chose to emphasize the unyielding hardness of metal. My array of flower designs aims to exemplify how society portrays femininity as one of two archetypes: the soft, warm, childlike innocence as shown in the pink and copper flowers as compared to the tainted-edged anger shown by the sharp and blackened flower pieces. For the brooch, I modeled the butterfly off the Monarch butterfly, the only one migrating yearly, which signifies migration, metamorphosis, and rebirth across cultures. This juxtaposition of the delicate and free butterfly compared to the chains symbolizes the dichotomy of the common story of immigration—one’s desire for better opportunity versus the realities of constrictions. It represents what it feels like to step away from both cultures into something entirely new, never quite fulfilling societal norms and traditions in either culture. My piece symbolizes embracing changes while navigating strict societal systems. The butterfly's wings attach with rivets and are oxidized and filed for a smooth blend. Chains, made from a different metal, symbolize external constraints and are intentionally distinct from the butterfly. This artwork prompts reflection on embracing change within societal systems, emphasizing the interplay of opposites in life.
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I believe that jewelry and art serve as a canvas for extending personal self-expression and expressing one’s own unique identity. I believe my jewelry encapsulates personal narratives and collective experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today.
