I’ve been watching Heejin Hwang since posting about this emerging artist in 2010. Hwang’s new collection is a marked change in a new direction and is bold, but not loud, making a statement without having to shout. Steel wire, threads of hand-dyed yarn for emphasis in some of the pieces, multiples of large shapes and lots of length. The artist’s work is evolving nicely. Keep watching.

 

Sensuality II, steel wire

My work is about the tension between structure and sensuality. I am interested in framing female identity through the lens of beauty, control, dignity, strength and vulnerability.

Dropping II, detail

Dropping II, steel wire

By building simple structural units into complex sculptural forms, organic shapes give way to fortified architectural systems. Steel wire is used as basic material, a continuous line of wire is shaped into interpenetrating forms. As multiple units complete a perfect structure, the whole becomes animated and my jewelry comes to life.

Emotional Interaction, steel wire, hand-dyed yarn

The human body is the perfect context for my three-dimensional forms. Only when the body ornaments are perfectly installed on the wearer, does an emotional and structural rapport begin. As people imagine building an ideal house of their own, I also imagine building my house of jewelry on the human body.

 

Dropping III, steel wire, hand-dyed yarn

Bones, steel wire

Tactile Sensation I, steel wire, enamel, ground rock

Tactile Sensation II, steel wire

Heejin Hwang’s website

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Liana Pattihis developed a method of sifting and fusing enamel on a movable base to create her unique jewelry. Her latest collection is inspired by embroidery motifs found on Greek aprons and Cypriot costumes. The knitted wire and enamel necklaces showcased here could be used to adorn a wall – and taken off of the wall to drape deliciously over your body. Truly beautiful work.

Adapted Patterns Necklace, silver cable chain, silver trace chain, enamel

 

Adapted Patterns on the body. What a dramatic statement!

Istos Necklace, knitted silver light trace chain, enamel

Istos on the body

Blue Knitted 3D brooch, silver cable chain, copper, enamel, stainless steel

Silver Trace Chain, knitted, enameled

 

“My work comprises mainly brooches and necklaces made out of silver and gold chain alone, or chain attached onto a copper mesh base which are then enameled.”

 

Liana Pattihis’ website

 

 

 

Knitting, weaving and crocheting stainless steel, silver and gold wire into net-like structures, Haruko Sugawara creates delicate, often hollow jewelry. The artist applied cloisonne and heat to some of the pieces in the Crochet collection, Pebbles and Bubble series, adding color and depth to these gossamer works.

Stainless Steel Wire Necklace

 

Pebble Necklace, silver, freshwater pearls, cloisonne

Gold and silver cloisonne on folded form

Haruko Sugawara’s website