WEARABLE ART
Jewelry has traditionally functioned primarily as body adornment, as religious symbols or symbols of wealth and power. Starting in the late 1930s, metals artists around the World began exploring the creation of stand-alone pieces of art/sculpture that could also be worn. Some were (are) more practical to wear than others. I refer to my work as wearable art because from the simple to the complex, every piece is conceived around a concept, statement, or event that tells a story, subject to interpretation. That interpretation may also change depending upon whether the piece is seen on or off the body. My goal is to make pieces of art that are wearable (and affordable), while speaking to both the hearts of the person wearing the work and the people viewing them.
For further reading about the concept of wearable art, please see the following links:
Facebook page & Etsy store coming soon!
ABOUT
Aaron Rosenbloom
I was born and raised in Philadelphia. My first introduction to metalsmithing/jewelry
manufacturing was at the age of 13 in Middle School. I was fortunate to have a teacher who was truly passionate about her art and about teaching, and I continued to work in that studio through High School. However, I did not seriously consider making jewelry/art for a living until I was a year into college. I transferred to the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and graduated from there in 1982. I worked in commercial jewelry as a bench mechanic for 2 years and also worked part time in a dental laboratory. My intention at the time was to work in the dental lab field to pay bills while I worked on my art, but somehow, that turned into 10 years. I then experienced a calling to work with people (vs. “little things” all day), so I made the decision to attend graduate school for Art Therapy/Counseling Psychology. I completed my Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1995 and have worked in the mental health field for 27 years. For the past 14 years, I have been engaged in private practice.
I have remained (and will always be) an artist/craftsman. It’s the lens through which I interpret the World. As I’ve approached retirement age, I’ve experienced an increasingly strong impulse to return to the bench, to “making.” Lately it seems I have a constant flow of ideas, themes and forms coursing through my mind. I consider my work to be “wearable art” rather than mere bodily adornment. It’s important to me that every piece makes a definite statement. I primarily work in silver, semi-precious stones and enamels, but also do some gold work. A common theme of my art is capturing an instant of motion or juxtaposing contrasting textures, lines and other forces. My goal is always to evoke thoughts and feelings (both positive and negative), and occasionally provoke controversy (moral, ethical, political and otherwise).
PORTFOLIO
(contents under construction)
BODYWEAR
Transmutation – Front View
Fabricated sterling silver sheet with fused sterling/fine silver and 14K gold accents. Set with raw snowflake obsidian and freshwater pearls.
Transmutation – Back View
Snowflake obsidian goes in, pearls come out.
Transmutation – Close Up
Closeup view of resin embedded snowflake obsidian cubes.
Moon Pin
Sterling silver spiculum wrapped with reticulated silver sheet.
Secant – Front View
Sterling silver brooch set with a large round 34 carat Botswana agate.
Secant – Back View
Leaving The Group – Front View
Brooch of cast sterling silver and cemented glass beads.
Leaving The Group – Back View
Casting defects were intentionally left as-is
Roots – Front View
Brooch fabricated from sterling silver sheet and wire. Set with a large labradorite cabochon, peridot and cubic zirconia
Roots – Back View
Cupid Missed
Sterling silver brooch constructed of tube and sheet, with fired enamel and carnelian beads.
Hammerhead Pin
Fabricated sterling silver brooch set with an 8mm round malachite.
Dilemma Cactus
Sterling silver spiculum brooch with formed sterling silver sheet and turned brass points.
Check Pin
Brooch fabricated with soldered spiculum shapes and reticulated silver sheet.
Horns of a Dilemma
Fabricated sterling silver brooch with turned brass points.
NECKWEAR
Hidden Patterns Pendant – Front View
Sterling silver pendant fabricated from soldered sheet and wire. Set with a large oval shape malachite and 4mm peridot.
Hidden Patterns Pendant – Back View
Hammerhead Choker
Sterling silver neckpiece constructed of interlocking cast elements.
Amethyst Vine Necklace
Sterling Silver, cast setting and fabricated with soldered wire, set with a stunning 48 carat pear-shaped amethyst.
Amethyst Vine Necklace – Closeup
Amethyst Gold Vine Necklace
Cast setting of 14K gold, links fabricated from soldered gold wire, set with a raw amethyst crystal.
Amethyst Gold Vine Necklace – Closeup
Closeup view of cast setting and amethyst crystal. To my eye, this crystal resembles an anatomic human heart.
Spiral Pearl Neckpiece
A single long strip of sterling silver wound in a spiral pattern containing a double strand of freshwater pearls strung on stainless steel cable.
Spiral Pearl Neckpiece Clasp
Closeup view of the double strand of pearls and clasp
Shattuckite Necklace – Front View
Sterling silver necklace set with a large teardrop shaped cabochon of Shattuckite and an 8mm round malachite.
Shattuckite Necklace – Back View
Back view of the piece displaying the frame.
Lirpa Neckpiece
Sterling silver neckpiece constructed with interlocking cast elements. Lirpa was a mythical weapon used by Spock in a Star Trek episode. It symbolizes unchecked emotions.
Spiral Chain Necklace
Fabricated from soldered 18 gauge sterling silver wire. I'm wearing this piece in the profile photo.
Black Fossil Coral Pendant – Front View
Sterling silver pendant & chain made from soldered wire, mounted with a large cabochon of black fossil coral.
Black Fossil Coral Pendant – Back View
Sterling Silver Hourglass Pendant
Cast sterling silver element set with 4mm sapphires and freshwater pearls.
The Fractured Teardrop
Fine silver pendant with translucent enamel.
Moonstone Pendant
Absolutely beautiful teardrop shaped moonstone with cast sterling silver cap mount. The photo really doesn't do justice to its light and shimmer.
Fossil Coral Granulation Pendant
Teardrop shaped fossilized coral with fine silver cap mount, decorated with fused granulated beads.
BlueWavePendant
Fine silver pendant with translucent enamel.
Roman Double Loop Chain
Roman style fine silver, painstakingly constructed with fused 24 gauge wire loops. Posted for display purposes only and NFS; it took more than 50 hours. I wear this chain daily.
HANDWEAR
Aquamarine Ring
Cast sterling silver with cobalt blue enamel, set with an AAA grade 8x6 oval aquamarine.
Amethyst Scratch Ring
Cast/fabricated sterling silver with a pear shaped amethyst and small synthetic diamond.
WRIST/ARMWEAR
Amethyst Vine Bracelet – Front View
Sterling silver wire and cast elements with 14K gold accents, set with a large cabochon amethyst, faceted amethysts, and cubic zirconia.
Amethyst Vine Bracelet – Side View
Amethyst Vine Bracelet – Stamp view
Amethyst Vine Bracelet – Back View
Hourglass Bracelet
Sterling silver bracelet constructed with cast elements and soldered wire, set with 4mm amethyst stones.
EARWEAR
Black Fossil Coral Earrings
Cast sterling silver caps on matched fossil coral pieces.
Spiral Earrings
Sterling silver sheet with freshwater pearls.
Silver Brass Earrings
Sterling silver and brass soldered and rolled. Sterling silver oxidized with tellurium.
Peridot Squiggle Earrings
Soldered sterling silver wire mounted with 4mm peridot.
Enameled Earrings
Fine silver sheet, fine silver beads and fired enamel.
Enamel Grid Earrings
Fine silver rolled in a mill with aluminum screen & fired with translucent enamel.
Cube Earrings
Powder coated sterling silver sheet, miniature coated steel cable and freshwater pearls.
Captive Pearl Earrings
Powder coated sterling silver sheet, miniature steel cable and freshwater pearls.
Amethyst Squiggle Earrings
Soldered sterling silver wire mounted with 4mm amethyst.
NOWEAR (A few pieces I’ve made to either hang on a wall or sit on a shelf)
CONTACT
Contact me at: aaronrosenbloom.art at gmail.com for commission and ordering information.