JEWELRY DESiGN
MESSAGE PRESiDENT FROM THE
Here we have the work of over 500 graduating Art and Design students—every one of them a marvel! Imagine the challenges they faced this year. Forced by the pandemic to work from their homes, denied the in-studio, shoulder-to-shoulder, hands-on learning experience they expected, they nevertheless forged ahead, defying all obstacles. They created makeshift work stations in their bedrooms, basements, kitchen corners and other unlikely locations. Focused, hardworking and energetic, they applied their ingenuity to learn, explore, experiment and achieve. And as we see from this catalogue, they succeeded. The work in this catalogue represents 16 of the School of Art and Design’s programs. In it we not only see the students’ finished products, but also images of how those projects evolved. These images help to reveal the creative process and the students’ individuality. Through it all, we sense their resilience and determination. Indeed, this vibrant catalogue— with its bright bold colors—pays homage to their optimism and extraordinary strength. I offer congratulations to these students and to the families and friends who supported them throughout this difficult year. Congratulations as well to the stalwart Art and Design faculty whose own skills and ingenuity rose to the pandemic’s challenge and provided guidance to their students with diligence and care. Dr. Joyce F. Brown President 2
OUR GRADUATES’ CREATIVE CHOICES VOiCES AND
Our Jewelry Design graduates are entering a broad, vibrant industry that encompasses design, technology, craft, economics, ethics, and sustainability. The student work shown in the 2021 Graduating Student Exhibition represents these students’ visions, having harnessed what they have learned to find their voice. This exhibition also expresses our students’ creative responses to the challenges and stresses of the current pandemic and the remote learning environment it has imposed. Their creative choices and voices make a powerful comment on their moment in time.
MAKE A
DEAN BROWN
POWERFUL
COMMENT THEIR MOMENT IN TIME.
SEOYEON PARK
ON
FIT GSE ’21
JEWELRY DESIGN
3
INFO
1.
BLACK ARM IN CUSTODY (GOOD TROUBLE) contact seller for more info I sculpted the arm in wax then cast it in Sterling Silver. After polish, I powder-coated it black. Hand-cuff and chain made in studio by hand.
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BESPOKE STERLING SILVER SPRING ACTION 2MM PINFIRE PISTOL Contact: @BishopCraftsny on IG for custom Jewelry Hand Fabricated in studio...Ammo sold Separately!
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CLOUD BRACELET IN SILVER WITH JADE RING Contact: @BishopCraftsny on IG for custom sizes 3d printed clouds with UV resin infill. I used mica powder for the colors. 3d printed silver Ring with handset Jade Cabochon.
STATEMENT
@Bishopcraftsny
PROJECTS
DEAN BROWN
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My journey as a fine jeweler began on a fire escape in Flatbush, Brooklyn. It was there I first bolted down my broken-arm centrifuge. I crafted jewelry by casting my first pieces in bronze. Eventually I gained enough confidence in my abilities to cast jewelry exclusively in sterling silver. I lived for that rush of adrenaline as I watched the arm unwind, no longer bound by the tension of the coiled spring in its base. I would hold my breath as molten metal flowed in an instant from quartz crucible to plaster mold. That unconventional start in this fascinating industry continues to inspire the pieces I create. It is my honor to convert raw materials into functional wearable art. I enrolled in the jewelry design program at FIT to sharpen my skills, find my community, and establish new directions for my journey.
FIT GSE ’21
JEWELRY DESIGN
4
STATEMENT
PROJECTS
VERONICA HO-LEE 1.
JADE PARURE 7.2’’ x 9’’ Photoshop
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KNOTS PARURE 7.2’’ x 9’’ Photoshop
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Growing up with a Chinese background, I was always interested in motifs from my culture. The collection of designs for my jewelry parures is my way of learning more about the culture that I am from. My designs include jade, gold, and garnets, along with Chinese knot motifs in an exploration of materials and objects that I saw were significant as I was growing up. Jade and gold are highly valued materials in Chinese culture and red is seen as the color of luck. Inspiration for my designs comes from various places, including nature and my travels, but a great portion of it comes from what is dearest to me, which is my culture, and that is strongly reflected in these designs.
FIT GSE ’21
JEWELRY DESIGN
5
INFO
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TRIALS OF HERCULES NECKLACE 5.5” x 7” Bronze, Brass, Epoxy Putty, Acrylic
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PALADIN BRACELET 7” x 2/3” Digital
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WATCHER EARRINGS 1/2” x 1” 10k Gold, Chalcedony
STATEMENT
@kevin.jkw
PROJECTS
KEVIN JIAO
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I have always loved the genre of fantasy, whether in books, video games, or movies. I believe that these works display the endless creativity of the human mind and its ability to create an experience that is wondrous and magical. I aim to capture that same spectacle and wonder in my work, taking elements and design motifs from this genre so that my pieces can tell not just a story, but a myth.
FIT GSE ’21
3.
JEWELRY DESIGN
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INFO
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FASHION RING ILLUSTRATION 9” x 9” Photoshop illustration of rose gold ring featuring diamonds and a pink sapphire.
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BRASS CUFF 9” x 9” Brass
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GEMSTONE RING 3D MODEL 9” x 9” Rhino rendering of yellow gold ring featuring one diamond, one pink sapphire, one purple sapphire, and three Paraiba tourmalines.
STATEMENT
@Jen.d.martin
PROJECTS
JENNIFER MARTIN 1.
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In 2015 I dropped out of art school. Later that year I became sober. My sobriety and my past experience of leaving school have impacted everything I’ve accomplished at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to go back to school and fall in love with jewelry and gemology. My work is inspired by my love of unique gemstones, and designing pieces that I would want to wear myself. Graduating and putting together this body of work is the result of almost six years of recovery and a determination to create a life I’m proud of.
FIT GSE ’21
JEWELRY DESIGN
7
INFO
@meesh.pm
PROJECTS
MICHELLE MELILLO 1.
MERMAID’S CHOKER 3”x13” Knitted wire, sea glass, sea shell
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THREE-CHARM SPINNER RING Size 7 Sterling silver, malachite
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MERMAID’S LAPIS LAZULI 18 mm Sterling silver, lapis lazuli
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FIT GSE ’21
JEWELRY DESIGN
8
INFO
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MUSIC, RHYTHM, TEMPO 18mm x 16.5mm Silver, Gold plated, C.Z
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HANBOK 90mm x 35mm Silver, C.Z
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ALONE IN THE CITY 250mm x 35mm Brass
STATEMENT
@se.o_park
PROJECTS
SEOYEON PARK 1.
2.
The theme of my student show is “art.” What is art? I feel there is no boundary in art these days. Music and dance can also be works of art. I was motivated by music, art, and dance. My first work, “Music, Rhythm, Tempo,” is inspired by rhythm in music. There are many atmospheres in music, including soft melodies and strong rhythms. The work was designed in both organic and geometric shapes. My second work, “Hanbok,” was inspired by Korean traditional dance. There is a Korean traditional dance that includes holding a cloth in both hands. My third work is “Alone in the City.” I was motivated by Kandinsky’s work. I was confused and lonely when I first came to New York. The tall buildings in New York were splendid, but the colorful lights made me lonely. I used geometric lines to express myself trapped in the city.
FIT GSE ’21
3.
JEWELRY DESIGN
9
INFO
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FISH PERFUME FLASK 3”x1.25” Sterling Silver - created in Rhino
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THE SHACKLE BRACELET 2.5”x1” 18K Gold Plated on Sterling Silver with Rubiescreated in Rhino and white Topaz
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SEAHORSE CUFF 2.25” Sterling Silver hand carved seahorses Brass Cuff all Handcrafted
STATEMENT
@sammyskyejewels www.sammyskye.com
PROJECTS
BARBARA SALINAS 1.
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“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.” — Oscar Wilde I am an artist, working across many mediums… I am a photographer, a jeweler, a sculptor, and a mom. I live on a barrier island surrounded by the ocean and the bay. I’m inspired by my surroundings and the things I see every day. I like to make one-of-a-kind sculptural statement pieces with a hint of a nautical feel. I am free-spirited and very idea-driven, a conceptual artist with a fascination for mechanical things that is reflected in many of my pieces, along with my playful, yet elegant style. I will let my work speak for itself. You can visit me in my vintage Airstream mobile retail store as I take this show on the road, because everyone needs a little salt in their lives!
FIT GSE ’21
JEWELRY DESIGN
10
INFO
1.
DALA FLORAL EARRINGS 7.2” x 7.2” Silver with gold plating, CZ’s and Peridots
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CHITTE BROOCH 7.2” x 7.2” Silver with gold plating, CZ’s, red garnet and green onyx
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PATRA LEAF NECKLACE 8” x 12” Polymer clay, acrylic pearl paint, jewelry findings
STATEMENT
@pavithrarajeev
PROJECTS
PAVITHRA SATHYA PRAKASH 1.
3.
As someone born and brought up in India, I was always fascinated by Indian art, culture, traditions, and jewelry; all are key parts of Indian custom. After moving to the United States, I traveled quite a bit. I have been to 25 countries so far and my favorite part of traveling is exploring the nature, culture, art, and architecture of each place and adopting those aesthetics into my designs. I believe that Mother Nature is the ultimate designer, and my aesthetics are inspired by various elements of nature such as the ocean, flora, and fauna. My final project presents “Vana,” a collection featuring handmade fine fashion and art jewelry pieces inspired by nature. This collection includes metal, colored stones, pearls, chains, and alternative materials like polymer clay with a natural-toned palette.
FIT GSE ’21
2.
JEWELRY DESIGN
11
INFO
1.
AEGIS 7.3” x 3.7” 18K gold plated silver, pearls and cubic zirconia
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NATURE’S SIGMOID 7.3” x 3.7” 14K gold, blue and white topaz and pearls.
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IRIDESCENT CREST 7.3” x 3.7” Brass, silk threads, copper wire and glass beads.
STATEMENT
@ashika.venkatesha https://issuu.com/ashikavenkatesha/docs/01compressed_1
PROJECTS
ASHIKA VENKATESHA
Jewelry design has been an integral part of my creative evolution as a designer. My designs are derived from deep inquiry into the man-made and natural worlds, contemporary materials, and new techniques that I channel and visualize through mood boards, concepts, and ideation. My design process incorporates a story and an inspiration that becomes an important feature of my jewelry pieces. As an architecture graduate and a nature lover, my jewelry designs have major geometric influences from architectural details and fluid elements from nature. I have a keen interest in jewelry pieces that symbolize energy and incorporate kinetics. I want to give people a chance to experiment with different ways in which they can express themselves through a piece of jewelry. My goal is to achieve one-of-a-kind designs, produce high-quality jewelry, establish my design identity, and contribute to the jewelry design community by encouraging individualism and unique design expression.
FIT GSE ’21
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JEWELRY DESIGN
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www.fitnyc.edu/gse @fitgse2021_JewelryDesign