Epicene Bloom
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Artist Statement
Epicene Bloom is a large choker/collar piece comprised of large gauge wire frame and pierced ovum shapes that have flowers blooming from the centers that are attached to one another using flattened wire. The piece is based on my feelings towards my duty as a woman to procreate. ln the beginning, I was creating a necklace to show how beautiful and dirty being fertile is. It morphed into this realization throughout my time spent working the concept that I am terrified of my own fertility, the possibilities that it brings and the repercussions that it could have. I made an accompanying brooch called Flora Metastasis that also showcases the more beautiful side of giving birth. The necklace frame is formed from 10-gauge copper wire that has been soldered and then fire colored. Within the frame are several ovum shapes that were pierced from 16-gauge brass. The flowers were soldered to the inside of each ovum. The flowers are poppies that I formed in wax then through lost wax casting, casted them in a silver copper alloy called shibuichi. Each ovum was then attached to the necklace frame or each other using 18-gauge copper wire that I flattened to make look like staples. The clasp in the back consists of a double ovum shape that has small bow tied chains to represent getting the tubes tied. It is a bar clasp that is fixed on one side and made to set into loops on the other. The Invitation is a two-part necklace piece that is my play on consent and how people assume consent based on gender stereotypes. Both these pieces are based on door knockers and how they play a role on inviting someone into your home. In this case, these necklaces allow access for hooking up. The first necklace is called the Pussy Knocker. It is shaped like a cat and it has a loop in its mouth with a ball to knock. The cat rests above the heart because the way into a woman’s pants is by wooing her and winning her heart. The second necklace is called the Cock Ringer. It’s a screaming rooster on a large copper ring. The chain hangs low over the belt line. This resembles the stereotype about how easy it is to get into a man’s pants.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Jane Ritchie
Presentation Type
Artwork
Disciplines
Metal and Jewelry Arts
Session Title
Art Exhibit
Location
Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Northeast Atrium
Start Date
2-3-2018 8:00 AM
End Date
2-3-2018 12:30 PM
Epicene Bloom
Learning Commons @ Perry Library, Northeast Atrium
Artist Statement
Epicene Bloom is a large choker/collar piece comprised of large gauge wire frame and pierced ovum shapes that have flowers blooming from the centers that are attached to one another using flattened wire. The piece is based on my feelings towards my duty as a woman to procreate. ln the beginning, I was creating a necklace to show how beautiful and dirty being fertile is. It morphed into this realization throughout my time spent working the concept that I am terrified of my own fertility, the possibilities that it brings and the repercussions that it could have. I made an accompanying brooch called Flora Metastasis that also showcases the more beautiful side of giving birth. The necklace frame is formed from 10-gauge copper wire that has been soldered and then fire colored. Within the frame are several ovum shapes that were pierced from 16-gauge brass. The flowers were soldered to the inside of each ovum. The flowers are poppies that I formed in wax then through lost wax casting, casted them in a silver copper alloy called shibuichi. Each ovum was then attached to the necklace frame or each other using 18-gauge copper wire that I flattened to make look like staples. The clasp in the back consists of a double ovum shape that has small bow tied chains to represent getting the tubes tied. It is a bar clasp that is fixed on one side and made to set into loops on the other. The Invitation is a two-part necklace piece that is my play on consent and how people assume consent based on gender stereotypes. Both these pieces are based on door knockers and how they play a role on inviting someone into your home. In this case, these necklaces allow access for hooking up. The first necklace is called the Pussy Knocker. It is shaped like a cat and it has a loop in its mouth with a ball to knock. The cat rests above the heart because the way into a woman’s pants is by wooing her and winning her heart. The second necklace is called the Cock Ringer. It’s a screaming rooster on a large copper ring. The chain hangs low over the belt line. This resembles the stereotype about how easy it is to get into a man’s pants.