jacqueline cullen: the beauty of the flaw

Jacqueline Cullen is inspired by dramatic acts of nature that fracture our landscape. Whitby jet, a rare prehistoric black fossilized wood, allows the London jewelry artist to explore and celebrate jagged edges, deep fissures and uneven crevices. Cullen hand carves small section of wood lined with 24k gold, “leaving delicate threads of gold running through the finished objects tracing the breaks and joins.”  An elegant reminder that there is often profound beauty in the flaw.

Hand carved pendant, Whitby jet 24k gold inlay, 18k gold

I am inspired by dramatic acts of nature, a placid sky ripped open by a violent storm, a volcano erupting, a cliff edge left jagged from erosion.

Hand carved ring, Whitby jet, 24k gold inlay

Hand formed bowl pin, Whitby jet, Swarovski crystals, 18k gold

Bracelet, Whitby jet, Swarovski crystals, 18k gold

Hand carved ring, Whitby jet, Swarovski crystals

Hiatuses inform my aesthetics and the interruption or breaking up of a bold, fluid form is central to my work where fractures, fissures and crevices are highlighted by an encrustation of textured fine gold, tiny crystals or glittering black diamonds.

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