Jennifer Trask’s latest series, Unnatural Histories: Flourish, begins with the following definitions of the word flourish:
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1. To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive
2. To do or fare well; prosper
3. To be in a period of highest productivity; excellence or influence.
4. To make bold or sweeping movements.
The Hudson Valley, New York based artist, best known for jewelry that incorporates snake vertabrae, beetle shells, feathers, bone, pre-ban ivory and sea urchin shells, might have included her own name for a fifth definition. As her new work of removable jewelry mounted on encaustic drawings and paintings shows, Jennifer.Trask.Is.Flourishing.
Corona Imperialis, encaustic panel & brooch
Corona Brooch
palladium, 22K gold, champagne rose cuts, brown and white brilliant cuts
The ground-breaking work is described as “Drawings and paintings come to life, flora and fauna, mineral and vegetable thrive and outgrow containment.” Mobilia Gallery
Isn’t this what we all strive towards in life? To thrive and outgrow containment? Flourish’s mixed-media pieces are a beautiful representation of that concept.
Fructus Plumbum, encaustic panel & brooch
Fructus Plumbum Brooch
18K and 22K gold, moonstones, lead, aquamarine, rainbow moonstones
Apophysis: Acantha
encaustic painting with embedded silver and moonstones, brooch and earrings
found and altered ivory, palladium, 18K, 22k gold, rainbow moonstones, found frame
Acantha, detail
Trask holds a BFA in Metalsmithing from Massachusetts College of Art and an MFA from SUNY New Paltz. Read this 2002 Ganoksin article about the artist’s early work with unusual materials. All gold and palladium used by the artist are recycled materials and the bone and pre-ban ivory is either found in the artist’s local environment or purchased at flea markets.
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You rock!
OMG!
i love that so much!
many thanks Susan!
Jennifer’s work continues to amaze and delight. She’s one of a handful of artists successfully integrating various materials and media, thereby expanding our understanding of Art.
Beautiful pieces- what talent. You must have gotten it from your mom.
extraordinary..inspiring…thank you so much!!!
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