Faculty: Constance Vale
My collection takes on a faunal narrative with a focus on sea life, especially fish and their scales. I was intrigued by the fluidity of their movement in water and the way in which their body and skin perform and react. My jewelry’s aesthetic approach is inspired by the quality and shape of the placoid scales (dermal denticles) found on sharks, rays, etc. Although they are a type of scale, they can be interpreted as teeth-like structures that are smooth when touched one way, and rough when touched against the grain.
Digital Study 1
Digital Study 2
Body Drawing
Design Process
Through study models of pistachio shells, paper clips, and acrylic nails, a singular ‘scale module’ is created as the building blocks for each piece. The module tarts to increase and decrease in size to create soft curvatures as if extending from the nooks and crevices of our bodies, like the ear holes, behind the earlobe, in-between fingers, etc. The shape of the ring is designed to bloom from the finger as if a natural addition to one’s skin.
Ring
Still Life
Set of 8
Jewelry on Body
