Erosion and Emergence
Erosion and Emergence reflects my exploration of the Southwest's delicate balance between decay and renewal, a process that mirrors the land's transformation and the resilience of its cultural heritage. These wearable bracers examine how cultural narratives and environmental phenomena intersect, deconstructing traditional forms of adornment to create something that both honors the past and addresses contemporary concerns. By integrating electroforming techniques and alternative materials with hand-crafted and machine-assisted processes, I seek to highlight the coexistence of tradition and innovation in artistic practice.
The leather bracers were engraved using a laser machine and finished by hand. The bracers themselves draw from European heritage, symbolizing protection, resilience, and identity. By integrating these historic forms with motifs of the Southwest, and electroformed metal attachments inspired by cholla cacti and prickly pear. I weave together two distinct traditions. This synthesis creates a dialogue between the rugged landscapes of the Southwest and the cultural artifacts of European history, illustrating how both cultures have been shaped by their environments and the need to adapt to challenging conditions.
The metal elements, formed through electroforming, evoke the textures of weathered wood, referencing the natural processes that define the desert environment. These textures embody the concept of erosion as both a destructive and generative force—one that wears down surfaces while revealing new layers of beauty and meaning, and the 3D printed prickly pear berries symbolizing new life. The magnetic clasps allow for the modular attachment of jewelry components, encouraging wearers to engage with the piece interactively and symbolically, adapting it to their personal narratives.
This work invites reflection on the parallels between cultural and environmental conservation. The Southwest's ecosystems are shaped by the delicate interplay of erosion and renewal, so too are its cultural histories a product of interwoven influences and adaptations. Erosion and Emergence stands as a wearable reminder of the importance of stewardship, adaptation, and the enduring power of both nature and heritage. By wearing this piece, one carries a story—a story of resilience, transformation, and the enduring connections between humanity and the land.
