CoOperation Garnish

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August 19 – September 20, 2015

Billie Theide & Brooke Marks-Swanson, Specimen B, Vintage linen postcard, cotton, plywood, pewter, recycled sterling silver, 18K gold dust, turquoise

A collaborative exhibition organized by Brigitte Martin and Rachel Timmins

August 19 – September 20, 2015
Artists’ Reception:  Friday August 21, 6-8pm

 

A garnish can be anything from an adornment that adds or enhances the body (human or animal) to a functional or nonfunctional object that decorates and spices up a room. This exhibition will ask viewers and participants to examine the idea of a garnish made by 2 different subsets of makers who have come together to create an embellishment that satisfies both.

 

Participating Artists:

Suzanne Amendolara / Dan DiCaprio
Christiana Byrne / David Lee
Catherine Chandler / Sonya Scott
Brian Ferrell / Jillian Moore
Heidi Gerstacker / Masumi Kataoka
Emily Gill / Jaime Sawka
Charity Hall / Francesca Vitali
Peter Hoogeboom / Maia Houtman
Nicole Jacquard / Annie Fensterstock
Lauren Kalman / Kipp Bradford
Satomi Kawai / Nikki Couppee
Thomas Mann / Wayne Werner
Bruce Metcalf / Evin Dubois
Tom Muir / Caitlin Skelcey
Vincent Pontillo Verrastro / Sharon Massey
Mette Saabye / Pernille Mouritzen
Marissa Saneholtz / Michael Dale Bernard
Linda Savineau / Steve Shelby
Olga Starostina / Corey Ackelmire
Billie Theide / Brooke Marks-Swanson
Rachel Timmins / Brigitte Martin
Aric Verrastro / Randy Long

 

Statement from the organizers:

“A modern metalsmith/metal artist can be found working in traditional metals as well as in nontraditional materials. The designs can range from the classic to the extravagant, and the techniques can either be centuries old or decidedly current. The wide range of expression preferences, design options, materials, and processes has lead within our field to unfavorable misconceptions, misunderstandings and in some cases even outright disdain between artists. Each side considers itself superior to the other, seemingly not appreciating the clear advantages, benefits, and experiences each faction brings to the table. Quoting from Damian Skinner’s 2013 SNAG keynote lecture in Toronto:

We are all family. Sometimes, family members don’t speak with each other, but we still are one big family. Let’s recognize this fact.

Can our field overcome family division and send a much-needed signal to the metals + jewelry community? We appreciate and respect our historical past and acknowledge that current materials have a rightful place in jewelry/object making. Arriving at this message is the goal of this exhibition.”

– Brigitte Martin and Rachel Timmins

Preview of Featured Works:

Satomi Kawai & Nikki Couppee, Neogems (Necklace), Plastic, etched copper, resin, pigment, sterling silver, brass, plexiglass, found shells, faux and real pearls, faux silver foil, hologram laminate

Ferrell_Moore_ClompeCluster_2_1000

Brian Ferrell & Jillian Moore, Clompe Cluster (Brooch), basswood, polymer clay, resin, paint, wax

Heidi Gerstacker & Masumi Kataoka, Rattle 1, Sterling Silver, Animal Intestine, Rice, Silk, Stainless Steel, Glue

Peter Hoogeboom & Maja Houtman, Artichoke (Brooch), Ceramics (slipcasting), metalwork (basketry), silversmithing silver, porcelain

Suzanne Amendolara & Dan DiCaprio, New Growth (Brooch), Sterling Silver, Ebony, Stainless Steel

Suzanne Amendolara & Dan DiCaprio, New Growth (Brooch), Sterling Silver, Ebony, Stainless Steel

Charity Hall & Francesca Vitali, Shoulder Infestation 90:128, Paper, enamel, copper

Bruce Metcalf & Evin Dubois, On Helen, Acrylic Sheet, Digital Photograph, Mirror Acrylic, Wood, Paint, Plastic, Rubber, Silver

Emily Gill & Jamie Sawka, This or That, Sterling Silver, Copper, Vitreous Enamel, Freshwater Pearls, Glass Beads, Cubic Zirconia, Cotton Thread

Lauren Kalman & Kipp Bradford, Virus Simulation (Brooch), Custom design circuit board, electronics, digital video, 2 inkjet prints

Lauren Kalman & Kipp Bradford, Virus Simulation (Brooch), Custom design circuit board, electronics, digital video, 2 inkjet prints

Nicole Jacquard & Annie Fensterstock, Her Majesty, Carved felt, 22k gold, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, mother of pearl, embroidery thread

Rachel Timmins & Brigitte Martin, Soft ware, Silver plated metal serving tray, craft gold leaf, spandex, flax seeds, thread, aluminum, rubber, paint.

Rachel Timmins & Brigitte Martin, Soft ware, Silver plated metal serving tray, craft gold leaf, spandex, flax seeds, thread, aluminum, rubber, paint.

Aric & Randy Verrastro & Long, Daydreaming (Neckpiece), Canvas, PLA, sterling silver, copper, enamel, china paint, steel, thread, acrylic paint, poly-fil

Aric & Randy Verrastro & Long, Daydreaming (Neckpiece), Canvas, PLA, sterling silver, copper, enamel, china paint, steel, thread, acrylic paint, poly-fil

Marissa Saneholtz & Michael Dale Bernard, "She was lost to her dreams as flowers cascaded upon her." (Neckpiece), Copper, steel, aluminum, silver, maple, vitreous enamel, powder coat, lacquer

Marissa Saneholtz & Michael Dale Bernard, “She was lost to her dreams as flowers cascaded upon her.” (Neckpiece), Copper, steel, aluminum, silver, maple, vitreous enamel, powder coat, lacquer

Pontillo-Verrastro_Massey_plume_1

Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro and Sharon Massey, Plume, Copper, PLA, graphite, enamel, rare-earth magnets

Catherine Chandler & Sonya Scott, Holding, Sterling Silver, Patina

Olga Starostina & Corey Ackelmire, Anthropormorphism, Silver, Aluminum, Copper, Wood

Thomas Mann & Wayne Werner, Venus, marriage of gold, silver, micarta precious & semiprecious gems, brass

Christina Byrne & David Lee, Pretty Pretty Please, sterling silver, sterliumplus, simulatedgarnet, sprayfoam, paint, resin

Tom Muir & Caitlin Skelcey, Expel, ABS Plastic, Sterling Silver, Automotive Paint and  Clearcoat

Tom Muir & Caitlin Skelcey, Expel, ABS Plastic, Sterling Silver, Automotive Paint and Clearcoat

Mette Saabye & Pernille Mouritzen, Objects pf Desire 1-3, Wood, paint, string

Linda Savineau & Steve Shelby, Sluggish Meanderings, Hammer printed brass, 3D printed nylon (SLS), driftwood

Six: Nikki Couppee, Hunter Creel, Zachery Lechtenberg, Andrew Kuebeck, Aric Verrastro, Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro

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Velvet da Vinci Six show card2

August 1-15, 2015
Artists’ Reception: Saturday, August 1, 6-8 pm

 

Velvet da Vinci is proud to present 6, an exhibition of jewelry and sculptural objects by six young voices in the field. Featured artists include Nikki Couppee, Hunter Creel, Zachery Lechtenberg, Andrew Kuebeck, Aric Verrastro, and Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro. Working with a range of processes and techniques, each artist brings a fresh perspective to their craft and material lineage. The show will run from August 1-15, 2015. An opening reception with the artists will take place on August 1st, from 6-8 pm. 

Nikki Couppee’s recent work investigates the performative social functions of jewelry, utilizing Plexiglass, brass, and found objects in place of precious gems and metals. Working with everyday materials she intuitively creates her own versions of gemstones, hand cast and faceted in luminescent plastics. Couppee received an M.F.A. in Jewelry/ Metals from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio (2011) and a B.F.A. from the University of Georgia, Athens Georgia in Jewlery/Metals (2007). Her work has been featured in publications such as American Craft, Metalsmith Magazine, Modern Magazine, Vogue Brazil, Dailycandy, and Lark Book’s 500 Enameled Objects. Couppee has taught enameling and jewelry/metals techniques at Kent State University, The Cleveland Institute of Art, and The Crucible in West Oakland, CA. Originally from Pensacola Beach, FL, the artist currently lives and works in the SF Bay Area. 

crystal Earring, Nikki Couppee, Velvet da Vinci

Nikki Couppee, Emerald Fringe Studs, 2015 Plexiglass, brass, fine silver, sterling silver, found objects

Big Necklace, Nikki Couppee, Velvet da Vinci

Nikki Couppee, Untitled I (Necklace), 2015 plexiglass, brass

 Nikki Couppee

Nikki Couppee, Emerald Fringe Studs, 2015 Plexiglass, brass, fine silver, sterling silver, found objects

Hunter Creel creates bold sculptural objects, utilizing a language of simple forms drawn from the realms of the utilitarian and the abstract. Powder-coated in vibrant hues of enamel paint, Creel’s hand forged copper structures appear as autonomous and animated characters- playful, energetic, and personified. The artist received his B.F.A in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in 2012, under Paulette Myers. Since then Creel has been the 2015 Artist in Residence at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and has served as a faculty instructor in Ceramics and Metalsmithing at the Craft Alliance. Originally from Southern Illinois, Creel presently lives and works in Saint Louis. 

lil Juicy, Hunter Creel, velvet da vinci

Hunter Creel, Lil Juicy, 2015, Copper, Brass, Acrylic, Enamel

mrbroadmission Hunter Creel velvet da vinci

Hunter Creel, Mr.Broadmission, 2015, Copper, Brass, Acrylic, Enamel

roobieBoobie, Hunter Creel, velvet da vinci

Hunter Creel, Roobie Boobie, 2015, Copper, Brass, Acrylics, Enamel

Zachery Lechtenberg is an artist who “appreciates the shelf ready object,” as an avid collector of toys and other items. His highly stylized enamel works take the form of jewelry and narrative plates, with original packaging covered in hand drawn illustrations. In 6, Lechtenberg will debut a Pop-up store installation at Velvet da Vinci, featuring wearable and decorative objects adorned with the artist’s detailed graphics and figurations. The artist earned a BFA in Metalsmithing from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and an MFA from East Carolina University.

Zachery Lechtenberg, velvet da vinci

Zachery Lechtenberg, Tengu with Me (Brooch), 2015, Copper, Silver, Steel, Enamel (with custom wood box)

Zachery Lechtenberg, Velvet da vinci, Neko

Zachery Lechtenberg, Fur the Beats (Brooch), 2015, Copper, Silver, Steel, Enamel

Zachery Lechtenberg, Velvet da vinci, Cluster 5

Zachery Lechtenberg, Round Cluster 5 (Brooch), 2015, Copper, Silver, Steel, Enamel

Andrew Kuebeck, recipient of the 2012 SNAG Emerging Artist award, works in a variety of formats ranging from functional jewelry to sculptural objects and vessels. Inspired by Beefcake photography of the 1960’s and 70’s, his recent felt pieces explore the incorporation of photographic images into textiles, jewelry, and objects.  Kuebeck’s work has been exhibited on a national level; highlights include the 2010 juried art show at the Kinsey Institute of Art, which addressed gender issues and sexual politics. His work has appeared in numerous publications such as 500 Enameled Objects, 21st Century Jewelry, Metalsmith and Niche magazine.  With a BFA from Bowling Green State University (2008) and an MFA in Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing from Indiana University (2011), Kuebeck presently serves as Instructor of Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. 

Andrew Kuebeck

Andrew Kuebeck, Ken, 2015, Laser Cut Felt, 15 x 15″

AndrewKuebeck3

Andrew Kuebeck, Jake, 2015, Laser Cut Felt, 15 x 30″

AndrewKuebeck2

Andrew Kuebeck, Anthony (2 Part), 2015 Laser Cut Felt, 30 x 30″

Aric Verrastro creates souvenirs in the form of jewelry, intended to capture the essence of noteworthy places and events from the past and present of the artist’s personal history. Verrastro earned undergraduate degrees in Metals/Jewelry and Studio Art from SUNY Buffalo State College. He recently earned an MFA in Metalsmithing/Jewelry at Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), where he currently serves as Associate Instructor in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. A recipient of numerous academic awards and honors, Verrastro’s work has exhibited on national and international levels. Highlighted exhibitions include TALENTE 2015 in Munich, Germany during the world-renowned Schmuck festival.

Aric Verrastro, Velvet da Vinci, Drifting

Aric Verrastro, Drifting (Brooch), 2015, steel, driftwood, sterling silver, polyester cord, acrylic paint, thread

Aric Verrastro, Velvet da Vinci

Aric Verrastro, Walking Along (Neckpiece), 2015, sterling silver, driftwood, steel, acrylic paint, polyester cord, thread

You Choose #2, Aric Verrastro, Velvet da Vinci

Aric Verrastro, You Choose 2 (Brooch), 2015, driftwood, steel, PLA, canvas, cotton, sterling silver, found object, thread, acrylic paint driftwood, steel, PLA, canvas, cotton, sterling silver, found object, thread, acrylic paint

Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro’s current presents a dialogue emphasizing the primacy of touch in experiencing jewelry, focusing on the tactile and functional properties of the brush. The artist earned an MFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design from Indiana University (Bloomington, IL) in 2015 and a BFA in Metal/Jewelry Design from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2012.  His work has been shown in various national and international exhibitions, including venues such as Galerie Marzee (Nijmegen NL), World Art Museum China Millennium Monument (Beijing CN), Gallery Ho (Seoul KR), Hun Gallery (NYC, NY), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis MN), and the Cole Art Center (Nacogdoches TX).  Recently he has been a First Place recipient of the Society of North American Goldsmiths Educational Endowment Scholarship, and was appointed the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Stout School of Art and Design.  His work can be seen in publications such as 500 Plastic Jewelry Designs published by Lark Books. 

Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, stician, velvet da vinci

Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, Stician (Brooch), 2015, PLA, curly maple, paint, fox fur, steel

pfoufe, Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, velvet da vinci

Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, Pfoufe (Brooch), 2015, PLA, fox fur, steel

drope, Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, velvet da vinci

Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro, Drope (Necklace), 2015, PLA, deer leather, fox fur

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the press release.

*High-res images and further information about each artist is available upon request.  

 

Lisa & Scott Cylinder: Blinding the Cyclops

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LisaScott_ShowCard_nodate

July 8 – August 7, 2015

Artist’s Reception: Friday, July 10, 6-8 pm

 

San Francisco’s Velvet da Vinci is proud to present Lisa & Scott Cylinder: Blinding the Cyclops. The show will run from July 8 through August 7, 2015. An opening reception with the artists will take place on Friday, July 10, from 6-8 pm.

Husband and wife artist team Lisa & Scott Cylinder began collaborating in 1988, shortly after studying Jewelry/Metalsmithing at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. Their long-term partnership has produced an ongoing series of one-of-a-kind sculptural jewelry, which often incorporates found objects and epoxy resins into their metalwork. Lisa & Scott Cylinder: Blinding the Cyclops will debut a new body of work by the duo, made by repurposing and altering parts from musical instruments, games, antiquated tools, and more. During a 2014 interview with Smithsonian.com, Lisa Cylinder described the inspiration for their process as follows:

“It’s a soul thing… the things we use were touched by somebody. Once you see those pieces, you identify a moment in your life with that particular object. The tool that someone used in making something—there’s sweat on it, there’s toil on it. A musical instrument—someone played it. The human contact is part of what we do, and the reason we select the objects.”

Work by Lisa & Scott Cylinder can be found in prominent private and museum collections on a national level. Highlights include the Racine Art Museum Racine (WI), the Museum of Contemporary Arts & Design (NY), the Gregg Museum at North Caroline State University, (NC), and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) “Bird in Hand” Miniature Collection (MD). Their work has been featured in publications such as METALSMITH magazine, Lapidary Journal, American Craft, and Larkin Books’ “500 Brooches,” “500 Necklaces,” “500 Plastic Jewelry Designs,” and “500 Gemstone Jewels.” The artist team presently lives and works in Oley, PA.

LISA & SCOTT CYLINDER
Artist’s Statement 2015
 

Blinding The Cyclops has been a new chapter in our artistic Odyssey. After 27 years of making representational work, we have charted a new course away from our comfort zone.   Representation had become our Cyclops, and in order to free ourselves we needed to escape from our captor.   This action has enabled us to grow, change, and challenge ourselves as artists and problem solvers in a tangential manner.

Although our fascination with found objects (especially musical instruments) continues, their use as materials has become further abstracted.   Their deconstruction has been pushed farther and the outcome is purposefully less representational.   We have reinvented our working methodology as well as our subject matter. This giant step has enabled us to develop a new vocabulary referencing Design and Technologies of the 20th Century, the time in which our aesthetics as makers were formed.

Blinding The Cyclops represents an epic creative adventure. Wielding the same techniques and materials from our past works, we have challenged ourselves to create a fresh group of wearable objects that subvert what had become familiar.   We continue to change and challenge ourselves in our quest to create intriguing, well-crafted hand made objects in the 21st Century.

To download a full press release PDF, please CLICK HERE.

Manual Necklace, 2015, Bronze,sterling silver, nickle silver, vintage clarinet parts , epoxy resin, felt, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 3.25 x 1.5 x 0.5" pendant- 20" necklace

Manual Necklace, 2015, Bronze,sterling silver, nickle silver, vintage clarinet parts , epoxy resin, felt, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 3.25 x 1.5 x 0.5″ pendant- 20″ necklace

Grinder Brooch / Pendant, 2015, Brass, nickle silver, sterling silver, vintage clarinet parts, stainless steel, epoxy resin, celluloid, bone, 23ky gold leaf, paint vinyl, green onyx, 3.75 x 3 x 0.75"

Grinder Brooch / Pendant, 2015, Brass, nickle silver, sterling silver, vintage clarinet parts, stainless steel, epoxy resin, celluloid, bone, 23ky gold leaf, paint vinyl, green onyx, 3.75 x 3 x 0.75″

Quartet Necklace, 2015, Bronze, sterling silver, vintage violin parts, paint, 3.5 x 2.25 x 0.5" pendant- 18"necklace

Quartet Necklace, 2015, Bronze, sterling silver, vintage violin parts, paint, 3.5 x 2.25 x 0.5″ pendant- 18″necklace

Receiver Brooch, 2015, Sterling silver, bronze, stainless steel, vintage violin parts, celluloid, paint, 3 x 3.5 x .75"

Receiver Brooch, 2015, Sterling silver, bronze, stainless steel, vintage violin parts, celluloid, paint, 3 x 3.5 x .75″

Red Flash Ring, 2015 Sterling silver, vintage clarinet parts, 22k bi-metal, epoxy resin, celluloid, paint Size 7.5

Red Flash Ring, 2015
Sterling silver, vintage clarinet parts, 22k bi-metal, epoxy resin, celluloid, paint
Size 7.5

PortraitBroochPendant

Cyclops Necklace, 2015, Bronze, sterling silver, nickle silver, vintage clarinet parts, epoxy resin, felt, stainless steel, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 3.5 x 2.5 x 1" pendant- 20" necklace

Cyclops Necklace, 2015, Bronze, sterling silver, nickle silver, vintage clarinet parts, epoxy resin, felt, stainless steel, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 3.5 x 2.5 x 1″ pendant- 20″ necklace

Transistor Brooch / Pendant, 2015, Sterling silver, bronze, nickle silver, vintage violin parts, epoxy resin, paint, 3.5 x 1.75 x .75"

Transistor Brooch / Pendant, 2015, Sterling silver, bronze, nickle silver, vintage violin parts, epoxy resin, paint, 3.5 x 1.75 x .75″

Transistor Necklace, 2015, Brass, sterling silver, vintage saxophone parts, celluloid, vinyl, bone, paint, 3 x 1.5 x 0.5 pendant- 20" necklace

Transistor Necklace, 2015, Brass, sterling silver, vintage saxophone parts, celluloid, vinyl, bone, paint, 3 x 1.5 x 0.5 pendant- 20″ necklace

Transistor Ring, 2015, Sterling silver, vintage saxophoneparts, bone, celluloid, paint, Size 8

Transistor Ring, 2015, Sterling silver, vintage saxophoneparts, bone, celluloid, paint, Size 8

Vibe Brooch, 2015, Brass, sterling silver,nickle silver, vintage guitar and clarinet parts, bone, vinyl, lapis lazuli, paint, 5.75 x 2.75 x 1"

Vibe Brooch, 2015, Brass, sterling silver,nickle silver, vintage guitar and clarinet parts, bone, vinyl, lapis lazuli, paint, 5.75 x 2.75 x 1″

Siren Necklace, 2015, Sterling silver, brass, stainless steel, nickle silver, vintage clarinet parts, celluloid, lapis lazuli, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 4.5 x 3.75 x 1" pendant - 20" chocker

Siren Necklace, 2015, Sterling silver, brass, stainless steel, nickle silver, vintage clarinet parts, celluloid, lapis lazuli, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 4.5 x 3.75 x 1″ pendant – 20″ chocker

Proteus Brooch/Pendant, 2015, Bronze, sterling silver, nickle silver, stainless steel, vintage violin part, celluloid, bakelite, bone, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 4.75 x 3 x 1"

Proteus Brooch/Pendant, 2015, Bronze, sterling silver, nickle silver, stainless steel, vintage violin part, celluloid, bakelite, bone, 23ky gold leaf, paint, 4.75 x 3 x 1″

Black3Earrings

Thump Necklace, 2015, Sterling silver, nickle silver, vintage saxophone parts, vinyl, green onyx, felt, paint, 3.25 x 2.5 x .5" pendant - 17" necklace

Thump Necklace, 2015, Sterling silver, nickle silver, vintage saxophone parts, vinyl, green onyx, felt, paint, 3.25 x 2.5 x .5″ pendant – 17″ necklace