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
Amber has not only a similar tonal range of the cigarette filter, but has a history of being used in the mouthpieces of a smoking pipe. Its material quality is easy to carve into different forms, such as straights, stubbed out, or stood on. Each piece uses a silver sheet that is rolled down paper-thin and then hand-formed to mimic the action of rolling a cigarette. Using the technique of keum-boo to add gold into these pieces.
Gum Behind the Ear
This piece highlights the idea of reuse. The chewing gum is replicated by repurposing object that use buffalo bone already such as, game counters, guitar saddles and old letter opener.
Scour the Street
Scour the street
Wrigley’s
This piece is a playful approach to recreating chewing gum by looking back at the iconic Wrigley’s zig-zags gum wrappers.
Pavement Pennies
The design process to make these wearable bottle caps use a hydraulic press to form each badge in many varieties realistically. I’ve reinterpreted recognisable brand logos that have a play on words with an amusing perspective.
