Kiff Slemmons

Kiff Slemmons (b. 1944) is a contemporary American metalsmith and performance artist. She studied art and French at the University of Iowa, but is self-taught as a metalsmith. [http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:SmFVPtkcNAkJ:www.sofaexpo.com/NY/2007/dls/lecture/slemmons_cv.doc+%22kiff+slemmons%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us] Slemmons currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Works

In 2005, Slemmons was recognized for her work with Mexican paper jewelry, making colorful and intricate pieces using traditional bead-making techniques and dyes from plants.Fact|date=May 2008

Her works include historical or literary references, they incorporate found objects or non-precious materials, into detailed pieces with silver, gold, pearls, and other precious materials. Slemmons rejects the traditional valuation of jewelry based on materials used, focusing instead on the ideas that go into each piece. [ [http://www.paloaltoonline.com/weekly/morgue/cover/2000_Jan_28.LEADARTS.html Two new exibitions at Palo Alto Art Center find common ground in their new interpretations of the past ] ] .

In her exhibition "The Thought of Things," Slemmons made jewelry that used parts of aged photographs, rulers, typewriters, and other found objects in order to elicit a sentimental response. Another series of works that question worth and value was the much talked-about "Re:Paid and Imperfection." In the process of preparing the series, she asked some of her peers to give her pieces that are unfinished because they are unwanted or somehow flawed. She used thirty donated objects of varying materials in the exhibition. These works included wearables and sculptures with ornate details. Her intention was to make the viewer question the nature of imperfection and contemplate the new meaning of unconventional repair work. [ [http://www.ornamentmagazine.com/se_kiff_slemmons.html Ornament Magazine The Art And Craft of Personal Adornment ] ] .

References

External links

* [http://www.mobilia-gallery.com/exhibitions/jewl-in-pntg/slemmonspage.html Bear Claw Necklace]
* [http://www.velvetdavinci.com/allimages.php?action=show&mode=1&id=46&page=9 Sconce Brooch]
* [http://www.craftinamerica.org/virtualexhibit/story_42.php Feature in Craft in America, PBS]