Spot the Designer - Arielle Brackett/ USA

What did you want to be when you were a child?

I have always wanted to be an artist or an art teacher. I grew up in a family of craftspeople and artisans and was encouraged to make from a very young age.

When have you started creating jewelry? How did this passion come about?

The first piece of jewelry I made was a pair of sticker earrings that I made when I was four or five years old.  I have always had a passion to create but  jewelry has always been my greatest endeavor.

What was your first project or significant piece for you and from what point of view? 

There have been many milestones throughout my creative practice but I would say that the most significant piece of work I have done was for my thesis project for my BFA. Here is a short artist statement of the work:

As a rape survivor, I have struggled with depression and PTSD. For People Don’t See the Weight, I conducted interviews with fifteen rape and sexual abuse survivors. I created a metal object for each contributor, which convey the secretiveness of sexual violence. The outer surface of each piece appears ordinary, while the inside reveals distress. This work is displayed on a table to encourage viewers to interact with the pieces. Behind the table, letterpressed quotes from each participant hang on the wall. My responsibility as an artist is to create an outlet for survivors to be heard.

The pieces were displayed so that the viewers could pick them up and look at them. Throughout the duration of the exhibition, I had numerous people share their stories. This is when I realized what an impact my art could have on a community.

How do you charge your batteries? What other passions and creative interests do you have?

I recharge my batteries by being in my studio or outside in nature. It is a fine balance between the two. I love camping, swimming, hiking and kayaking. Aside from jewelry, I also enjoy mixed media, fibers, painting, printmaking, small scale sculpture, etc.

What does the connection between manufacturing tradition and contemporary design mean to you?

I appreciate the craftspeople who have come before me. I believe that the generations before us helped to provide a strong craft fountain. This traditional fountain is how I’m able implement well crafted contemporary designs.

Is there a self-portrait piece that speaks most about you?

 Seven years ago, I made Defense Mechanism Two, which is a pair of brass knuckles with four fabric flowers attached. I made it out of hand-dyed raw silk, needle felted wool, and American porcupine quills. Each of the four fabric forms depicts a progressive floral cycle, starting as a bud and ending with the flower in full bloom. As a form of protection, I have always been someone who bottles my emotions, and as the resentment rises, the emotions metastasize until I explode. I relate the way I repress my emotions to the metamorphic changes that occur in flowers in the spring. They start out as small buds that grow and expand until the flower bursts open. As humans we implement unconscious defense mechanisms that help us cope with trauma, disagreements, hurt, anger and conflict. As young children we learn coping tactics that evolve further in adulthood, as a way to protect and defend ourselves. Denial, projection, rationalization and repression give us the emotional distance that we need from unwanted thoughts or feelings. These inadvertent tools sometimes provide a means for enduring life’s traumas.

 Which material have you not yet used is a temptation and a challenge for you?

I am really interested in learning how to weave. I am fascinated by basket and loom weaving. I would love the challenge of incorporating the techniques into my jewelry.

How was the pandemic period for you as a jewelry designer?

The pandemic period has been a time of reflection. It gave me the time and space to create,  to meet goals and do things that I normally wouldn't have had the time to do. It has however been financially hard on my business and sales have dropped significantly.

How do you see the future of contemporary jewelry?

I am excited about the future of contemporary jewelry. I am inspired by the use of alternative materials. Contemporary jewelry is expansive and continues to push the boundaries of what is considered jewelry.

 Find more about the designer Arielle Brackett