Rhododendron Neckpiece

The repeated shape which accumulates to create this wearable sculpture, was inspired by a Rhododendron leaf. The yard of my childhood home was lined with Rhododendron bushes and every winter I watched their leaves curl around themselves as they died and fell from the bush. This transformation, though it ended in the death of the leaf, was fascinating to me both as a child and adult. This piece uses wire to capture and highlight a particular detail of the leaf’s lifecycle. Manipulating the wire by hand captures the natural variation within the repetition of this shape. The use of these intricate wire forms allowed me to create a substantial piece out of metal without weighing down the wearer. By including a significant amount of negative space the wearer's individual presence activates the piece inviting both the wearer and the pieces into a symbiotic relationship.