18" x 13" x 10"
My “larger than life” body of work aims to bring awareness and challenge the normalcy of the ever-growing social issue of mental health. As someone who lives with mental illness, daily life and the physical and emotional toll it takes, is often unexplainable to the outside world. For most, living with a mental illness looks like shopping at the grocery store or picking up children up from school, as in our society, it is customary to suppress one’s emotions. In a time of astronomical living expenses, and cost of education, there is no time for mental “setbacks” without severe financial consequences. This fast-paced way of life only increases the level of mental health problems in our world today.
My work aims to juxtapose societies norm to suppress, by outwardly and buoyantly expressing intense emotions that living with mental illness comes with. My large scale and intense coloration hints at the overwhelming emotional and physical turmoil mental illness often brings. On the other hand, the tightness and rigidity brings to light the social pressures of going on with life, fitting in with what is normal, no matter what intense and fogging symptoms mental illness may bring about.
In my studio practice, I am constantly on the lookout for ordinary discarded materials to experiment with. Often you can find me collecting my own and others various wrappers, packaging materials, etcetera to be used for a future work. Generally, the materials I make from would otherwise be discarded as waste to take a toll on our environment. However, these items or materials can bring the maker and wearer so much joy and value, and therefor given a new and exhilarating life through my craft as a jewelry maker and designer.
Not only am I enveloped in the practice of upcycling and resourcefulness, but I am also deeply engaged in bringing awareness to the rapidly growing social issue of mental health. I dare to question what it means to be mentally ill and what contributing factors our demanding and unyielding society has added to the issue. My work aims to engage the everyday viewer into the radical emotions of an individual living with mental illness. Not only am I aiming to bring light to the naïve, but to bring warmth and community to those effected who feel ashamed, alone, and discarded in our fast-paced society.
$2000.00
My “larger than life” body of work aims to bring awareness and challenge the normalcy of the ever-growing social issue of mental health. As someone who lives with mental illness, daily life and the physical and emotional toll it takes, is often unexplainable to the outside world. For most, living with a mental illness looks like shopping at the grocery store or picking up children up from school, as in our society, it is customary to suppress one’s emotions. In a time of astronomical living expenses, and cost of education, there is no time for mental “setbacks” without severe financial consequences. This fast-paced way of life only increases the level of mental health problems in our world today.
My work aims to juxtapose societies norm to suppress, by outwardly and buoyantly expressing intense emotions that living with mental illness comes with. My large scale and intense coloration hints at the overwhelming emotional and physical turmoil mental illness often brings. On the other hand, the tightness and rigidity brings to light the social pressures of going on with life, fitting in with what is normal, no matter what intense and fogging symptoms mental illness may bring about.
In my studio practice, I am constantly on the lookout for ordinary discarded materials to experiment with. Often you can find me collecting my own and others various wrappers, packaging materials, etcetera to be used for a future work. Generally, the materials I make from would otherwise be discarded as waste to take a toll on our environment. However, these items or materials can bring the maker and wearer so much joy and value, and therefor given a new and exhilarating life through my craft as a jewelry maker and designer.
Not only am I enveloped in the practice of upcycling and resourcefulness, but I am also deeply engaged in bringing awareness to the rapidly growing social issue of mental health. I dare to question what it means to be mentally ill and what contributing factors our demanding and unyielding society has added to the issue. My work aims to engage the everyday viewer into the radical emotions of an individual living with mental illness. Not only am I aiming to bring light to the naïve, but to bring warmth and community to those effected who feel ashamed, alone, and discarded in our fast-paced society.
$2000.00
Jurors Comments
Honorable Mention: Let’s Be Blunt
Packaging, ribbon, paper and wire are used to create this exciting neckpiece. The wearer will really need to know who they are to wear this multi-material piece. The black and gold is simpler on top and then slowly turns to beautifully toned rainbow cubes towards the bottom.
WOW WOW WOW .
Packaging, ribbon, paper and wire are used to create this exciting neckpiece. The wearer will really need to know who they are to wear this multi-material piece. The black and gold is simpler on top and then slowly turns to beautifully toned rainbow cubes towards the bottom.
WOW WOW WOW .