Richard Elkin

The technical challenge of utilizing seemingly disparate and juxtaposed textures and colors to create tension, contrast and a visual focal point is one aspect that inspires the direction of a my jewelry making. My current body of work is drawn from impressions of exquisite ornament from the archaeological record. Items unearthed; a sparkling gem from a long forgotten hand forged setting. I am influenced by the philosophical underpinnings of Wabi-Sabi that embody the dualistic and rustic nature of accidental beauty. I seek to work in tandem with my materials evoking forms that are at once surprising yet familiar; rustic yet refined; yet functionally appropriate for wearable jewelry offering the wearer a memento of perhaps an ancient thread but also exist as objects of fascination and desire on their own.