Marlene True - Plus One Collective
Marlene True
Designer biography:
Marlene True is the Executive Director of Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft in Columbia, NC. She holds a Master of Fine Art in jewelry design from East Carolina University. Her specialty is working with enamel and repurposed materials to design one-of-a-kind jewelry. Marlene loves to teach and has led workshops at West Dean College (England), Arrowmont (TN), Haystack (ME), Peters Valley (NJ), and Pocosin Arts. Her work is included in the collections of the Museum of Arts and Design (NYC), Metal Museum (TN), Racine Art Museum (WI), and the Arkansas Museum of Art (AR). Her work was recently published in Little Dreams in Glass and Metal: Enameling in America 1920 to the Present (UNC Press).
Collection concept:
These pieces are inspired by the vibrant microcosms of life found in the pools of water along the sounds of Eastern North Carolina and the beaches of Key West, Florida. Each pool is its own miniature world, teeming with unique organisms, colors, and textures that mirror the larger ecosystems surrounding them.
True captures the essence of these environments by focusing on the intricate details and contrasts found within these tiny habitats. The play of light on water, the movement of marine life, and the hidden beauty of these coastal microcosms are all reflected in her work. Rather than replicating these natural scenes directly, Marlene infuses each piece with the sense of wonder and joy that these coastal pools inspire, creating a deep connection to the rich and vibrant life they contain.
Coastal I, Enamel, copper, sterling silver
Coastal II, Enamel, copper, sterling silver
Coastal III, Enamel, copper, sterling silver