Making with materials of Mass Destruction
When I was studying Fine Art, majoring in Sculpture, I started making things with recycled electrical wire. My Dad was in demolition at the time and had given me a few bags of wire thinking i could do something with it. Those bags became 4 large wheelie bins full of wire that have been my signature material for 16 years. I have always worked with recycled marterials, and even as a small child I loved to make things out of whatever I could find. I grew up in an environment that encouraged you to make use of what you had and you didn't waste anything.
Black & Gold Series Neckpiece # 2 Recycled electrical wire gold coloured paper clips & de-constructed costume jewellery
My sculptures became smaller and smaller; I started wearing them, then I started making and selling pieces that were ( mostly ) wearable. My constant influence has been the ocean and all things marine related. The history of Pacific jewellery and adornment has also been a major inspiration regarding the resourceful and adaptive ways in which these cultures make, and the techniques and materials they use. The techniques I use are also quite simple such as weaving, binding, engraving, hand cutting and drilling. Cold joining and methods of working are chosen even if it means it takes longer to complete a piece of work the end result is not about time efficiency but any way in which I can lighten my footprint. Although I respect the use of natural materials, I have no interest to physically incorporate them in my work; I prefer to transform the unnatural.
When I am at the beach, I collect rubbish and marine debris and I have a large collection of abandoned and discarded fishing gear that I use in my work. Aluminum cans, plastic bags, drink bottles and de-constructed costume jewellery are some of the other materials I salvage from family, friends and op shops.
My studio is wherever I am at the time, and I have always worked in a way that is portable. It is my aim to continue making without buying materials that are new wherever possible. I hope others not only enjoy wearing my work, but are inspired to be respectful of our environment. Recycling for me is not a marketing tool or brand, but the ethos of my making.
Every little bit counts; its pretty simple really.
Pieces of Fate Neckpiece Recycled electrical wire plastic bags & aluminum de-consrtucted costume jewelley and fishing nets
Links
Pennie Jagiello website
Metalab blog
Pieces of Eight website
Studio Ingot website
Sustainability stories link
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