Congratulations to artist Amy Tavern for making the cover of Metalsmith Magazine. What an honor for her!
We love Amy Tavern here at SCC. Not only do we represent her work in our store (in-store only) , but she has recently been juried, as a finalist, into our upcoming biennial Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize Exhibition, Transformation 8: Contemporary Works in Small Metals. This competition awards one finalist a $5,000 cash prize and purchase award. All 33 finalists from the first round of jurying are included in a published catalogue and exhibition at SCC’s main gallery space.?
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| Brooch in Light Blue and Hot Pink, 2010 Oxidized sterling silver, light blue, hot pink, and white spray paint, cotton string Fabricated with sgraffito, knotted string, 4? x 5? x 2? |
Amy holds a BFA in Metals from the University of Washington and a BA in Arts Administration from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. Working with formal art elements such as line, shape, repetition, and rhythm Tavern creates light, gestural pieces which are often reminiscent of maps, arial landscape views, and simple line drawings.?
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| Necklace Arrangement, Oxidized silver |
Her current work draws parallels between graffiti and antique jewelry. Amy explains, “I am intrigued by the accumulated history graffiti conveys via layers of marks and how antique jewelry depicts specific time periods. In both cases evidence of the individual remains whether as graffiti artist, maker, or wearer. Although my work does not resemble graffiti in its purest form, I reference it by the way I manipulate the spray painted surfaces of each piece. I further reference graffiti by purposefully covering precious metal with paint like an irreverent tag on a statue. I show reverence also for the past by creating work that alludes both to traditional adornment, such as the teardrop, as well as jewelry that once belonged to my grandmother.”
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| Bow Cluster Brooch with Teardrop, 2010? Sterling silver, light blue, navy, yellow, and white spray paint? Fabricated with sgraffito, 8.5? x 4? x 1.75? |