Earconch

source: craftscotlandorg

My body of work draws its influences from nature, more specifically the deep sea environment and its cycles of growth, maturity and decay. While I have harboured a fascination for the deep sea environment for many years, this interest was consolidated during a recent trip to Japan. My work reflects these sources of inspiration through the use of brightly coloured silicone shapes, which are reminiscent of deep sea creatures in both texture and transparency and are embossed with delicate surface patterns.

Recently I have been particularly interested in exploring ways to combine these silicone shapes with delicate metalwork, especially wire structures and finely textured sheet metal, to create unique, flamboyant pieces of jewellery, which humorously explore notions of preciousness and value. The resulting contrast between clean, simple wire and sheet metal structures and delicate, vibrantly coloured and textured rubber shapes is a defining aspect of my work. The traditional function of jewellery as bodily adornment is extended as these creations also represent artistic objects in their own right, and are intended for display when not worn.

I also construct light objects from vacuum formed PVC shapes adorned with custom dyed nylon and silicone shapes, which are similarly inspired by the deep sea environment. By bringing together these different materials I hope to develop an aesthetic which does not merely emulate nature, but instead aims to mutate the artificial into the natural.
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source: artstolife

Kathy Vones was born in Germany in 1979 and spent the first sixteen years of her life growing up in Cologne. Inspired by a passion for Britain, its language and its culture, in 1995 Kathy decided to complete her education in the beautiful seaside town of Lyme Regis in Dorset.
Torn between pursuing her artistic talents and deepening her understanding of English Literature, Kathy decided to accept an offer of a place at St. Andrews University to study Art History and English. After graduating with an honours degree from St. Andrews in 2001, Kathy decided to finally pursue her true vocation of becoming an artist. She subsequently started attending the Edinburgh College of Art in 2002 and quickly discovered her affinity for jewellery making.

Kathy currently works as an Artist in Residence at the Edinburgh College of Art, where she teaches and produces exciting new work for the Goldsmith’s Fair in September 2007, for which she was awarded a free stand under the graduate scheme, as well as a precious metal bursary of 1500 pounds. Kathy will also be exhibiting a new body of work as part of an exhibition of Scottish Crafts at the City Art Centre, Edinburgh, in October 2007.