Jessica Turrell recently completed a three year research fellowship at the Enamel Research Unit at the University of the West of England, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
[nonmember]This archived post is for Members Only. Click here to become a member or to get a one day pass. If you are a member, please login to view the post. [/nonmember] [private_archives] The fellowship, Innovation in Vitreous Enamel Surfaces for Jewellery, was an investigation of mark making and innovative enamel techniques.
Script Series
medal/brooch, silver, copper, vitreous enamel
Script Series
pendant, oxidized silver, copper, vitreous enamel, linen thread
“The Script series uses etching techniques to create delicate layers of barely legible handwritten text and repeated marks that reference handwriting practice. These etched pieces are often made up of multiple layers with overlays of monochrome mark or text uppermost allowing for glimpses of underlying enamel in bright jewel-like colours. By being partially concealed and protected the underlying colour is imbued with a preciousness and intimacy that it might not have if more boldly displayed.” Jessica Turrell
Hollow form series
pendants, electroformed copper, vitreous enamel, oxidized silver
Turrell explains, “I have developed an approach by which I seek to create work that moves away from traditional enamel practice in order to achieve a more ambiguous and expressive material quality. In both my jewellery and my larger scale work I strive to obtain a tactile delicacy whilst making pieces that reward the wearer’s close attention with an intricate and detailed surface.” For the vessels above she used a method of layered enamel that is built up over an etched metal surface, fired and then selectively abraded away to expose marks and color.
Scribble Series
brooches, silver, copper, vitreous enamel
Scribble Series
brooch, oxidized silver, copper, vitreous ename l
As someone who loves text in art, I am fascinated by her approach. See Turrell’s larger works here. Lovely.
Read a blog post by the artist, Is there a place for enamel in contemporary jewellery practice? on the Klimt02 website.
More about Turrell’s fellowship here and here.
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