Kristina Merchant
Conceptual and narrative-led artworks that engage the viewer in playful perceptions on material preciousness, is the focus of this series of works. The collection Vision of Beauty is a narrative jewellery-mise-en-scène themed scour of the street. These pieces are imbued with realism and materiality. The objects and jewellery pieces highlight a message on societal norms of littering single-use plastic and disregarded objects found along the cracks of the concrete pavement. From the most littered item on earth, the cigarette filter, to pavement pennies, these pieces aim to spark a conversation about what is considered precious material, but with a humorous intention.
Featured image by Shannon Tofts
Photography by Jessica Wishart
Modelled by Jenny Wilson, Daniel Cox
Marlboro Gold
The brooches use raw amber to represent the cigarette filter, (alluding to the traditional amber smoking pipes), the amber is initially formed on a grinding machine and then using pendant drill for fine details. Silver is thinly rolled, oxidised and manipulated to emulate burnt or crinkled paper, with the ground waste amber used as tobacco filling. 24k gold is applied referring to the Marlboro Gold cigarette through the technique Keum-boo.
Gum Behind the Ear
This earring uses carved buffalo bone repurposed from objects such as game counters, a guitar saddle, and a vintage letter opener to envision the nostalgia behind putting gum behind the ear.
Scour the Street
Scour the street
Wrigley’s
This piece uses carved buffalo bone from repurposed objects such as game counters, a guitar saddle, and a vintage letter opener. Silver is thinly rolled and crinkled to replicate Wrigley’s zig-zags chewing gum wrappers.
Pavement Pennies
One-of-a-kind bottle cap tool was spun on the lathe and then carved into creating the fold creases, the badges have unique forms to reflect the distressed and found, coloured by enameling, brand logos is created on illustrator with a play on words and applied through laser decal and finished with oxidising.
