ARTICLE
The Portrait as Idea in Jewelry
by Aaron Patrick Decker
"We see portraits every day, and everywhere. The world is saturated in images and platforms for images, with people snapping shots of their surroundings, selfies, and simply what they had for dinner. But what does it mean to be an artist in that world? I asked several artists a series of questions regarding portraiture in jewelry, using the above prompt to frame it. Sparked by reflecting on the work I relate to, this essay is not a “how to” nor a “this is what portraiture in jewelry is.” I hope the reader following the meandering anecdotes in this essay will instead draw contrasts and similarities woven together in topics such as Image-Making, Purpose, Place, and People."
Image caption: Melanie Bilenker, Falling Asleep, 2008, brooch, hair, resin, pigment, ebony, gold, 75 x 52 x 9 mm, photo courtesy of Sienna Patti