The Blog Interviews feat. Katie Kameen
The Blog Interviews series continues with Katie Kameen. Her jewellery designs are true upcycling pieces of art! From the colour combinations to the shape and material associations, seeing photos of her works just make me feel happy. My love for strong colours if fully met within her designs. Let’s get to know her better!
Katie, tell us a bit about yourself.
“[...]The scale and function of my work communicates its importance and preciousness[...]”
I’m originally from Illinois, and I received my BFA in 3D Studio Art from Eastern Illinois University where I started my journey with metalsmithing and jewelry design. I continued that journey, and my desire to teach, in graduate school at Indiana University Bloomington where I studied with metalsmiths Randy Long and Nicole Jacquard. I was encouraged to explore other materials besides copper, so I applied metalsmithing techniques to working with plastic. I began experimenting in graduate school with large plastic objects like kitchen utensils and yard tools.
Why contemporary jewellery?
I have always been drawn to details and focused more on the specifics inside of the big picture. I also enjoy the accessibility of jewelry; it is sculpture that anyone can own, wear and experience. The scale and function of my work communicates its importance and preciousness. I use that initial message to impress upon my viewers the joy in discovery with readymade objects.
What inspires you? How has your work changed from the very beginning?
My work has changed scale from when I first started working with found plastic objects. My current pieces are much smaller which makes them wearable as well as sculptural.
I’ve also become more interested in manipulating the plastic objects into completely new forms, rather than maintaining their original functions.
Are there any rules that you always follow in your work and ethics?
I have a few rules in my studio that have developed from a need for functionality, permanence, and sustainability. I have recently all but eliminated the use of glue in my works. Each piece is completely cold connected and could be taken apart and remade. I also use 99% premade plastics that I find at thrift stores, second hand shops or that are donated to me.
Any events happenning?
I am part of the ASTONISH birthday exhibition and our first show is at the Schmuck Gallerie Hannah Rembeck, Regensburg, Germany from September 19 – October 6 2020.
I am also creating a piece for the show AMEND, an online exhibition organized to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, aka Women’s Suffrage. This will go live October 2, 2020.