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21st CENTURY BAROQUE: THE LORE OF SEMI PRECIOUS GEMS

My aesthetic has been greatly influenced by an over-stimulating contemporary culture. The work I create illustrates internal panic, chaos, and distractions; reflecting the constant barrage of visuals we see on an everyday basis. I fabricate patterns and elements that don't necessarily belong together, and assemble them to create jewelry I find visually pleasing.

By manipulating patterns and structure, I construct a contemporary illustration of ornamentation; a modern day, almost campy version of baroque design. Bright colored stones and plexiglass, along with perfect circles and baroque ornaments that have become flattened and disfigured, establish a composition of contrasting elements. Raw and uncut stones are contained, while structural elements have been manipulated to create chaos. Bright colors accentuate non-traditional stones and gems, creating an almost pornographic setting. Antiqued, tarnished silver contrasts with bright, shiny plexiglass and sparkly or polished stones. Rigid lines create imperfect shapes, and organic elements coexist with manufactured ones.

Segments of each piece of jewelry are created separately, my indecisiveness impeding on its production. Slowly, each fragment is assembled to create a finished piece of jewelry.

Photographs by John Sneden.