Those planning on going to “Open Links,” the jewelry and metal work display in the Fine Arts building, to get ideas for what to wear next season might want to reconsider.
“Beaded Bodice,” a work of hammered copper, beads and wire by Felicia Szarad, dispels any myths that these are works that are likely to appear at a typical jewelry store.
“One purpose of the exhibit is to broaden peoples perspectives on what jewelry can be and what it is,” said Thomas Muir, professor of fine arts. “Jewelry takes many forms and serves many purposes in different cultures. It can be for ornamentation or to attract a mate. It can also serve as a talisman against psychological or physical dangers. It also can have emotional or spiritual meaning.”
Among the artists on display is Sam Shaw, who mixes more traditional jewelry designs with atypical materials. Rough, uncut rocks sit in the place of gems in rings and necklaces as well as other pieces.
Leslie Leupp’s bracelets are made from anodized aluminum and placed on custom made display stands. These stands are as much a part of the work of art as the bracelets themselves.
“Many of these works are designed to be viewed on their own as well on the body,” Muir said.
“One artist had said something about wanting people to be aware of their bodies while wearing the jewelry,”Muir said. He went on to say that this went for most of the other artists as well, Felicia Szarad being a good example of this.
Fossils of long extinct creatures make the centerpieces of many of Patricia Nelson’s metal works. A trilobite now rests in a cage of artfully twisted wires.
Armlets and other body ornaments crafted by Marjorie Schick are not crafted of gold or silver but of stretched canvas and wood. These works are brightly painted and are displayed alongside photographs of the jewelry being worn.
“Most of the worlds jewelry is not made from precious metals or stones,”Muir said in reference to the variety of materials used.
The exhibit will be on display until Sunday at the Willard Wankelman Gallery. The gallery will be open today through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
