Written by: Sydney Luther, Communications Assistant

Artist name: Melody Armstrong
Business name: Melody Armstrong Jewellery
Medium: Contemporary Art Jewellery
Practicing since: 1996
Where to buy:

• Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/melodyarmstrong
• Website:  www.melodyarmstrong.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
• Assiniboia Gallery, Regina, SK
• MacKenzie Art Gallery Shop, Regina, SK
• Black Spruce Gallery, SK
• Handmade House, Saskatoon, SK
• SCC Fine Craft Boutique, Saskatoon, SK
• Darrell Bell Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
• Grant Berg Gallery, Grande Prairie, AB
• Little Cricket Gift Gallery, Maple Ridge, BC
• Tank Jewelry & Bead, Toronto, ON
• Precizio, Thorold, ON
• Metal Works Contemporary Goldsmithing, Kingston, ON

Tell us about your art process

What is particularly distinctive about my recent work is its structural form, created to deliberately play with negative and positive space. My jewellery designs testify to the textural dynamic and technical approach within my practice, seeming to have evolved organically, taking on an industrial influence. The varied interplay of colours and textures creates distinctive contrasts, evoking vividness of exquisite dimensions, which are rich, bold and engaging.

I have always been fascinated by the mysterious potential that metals have to offer and the opportunity of transforming their original properties in order to stretch the scope of what can be achieved.  The pieces in my recent body of work are a result of the exploration and learning new techniques thus allowing for spontaneity to flourish. My objective has always been to transfer my emotions, creative passion and risk taking into my jewellery in an expressive way to arrive at exciting jewellery forms that elicit awe and inspiration, and personalize them in order to give my work a distinctive character.

What inspires that process?

My work is about capturing the essence and sensuality of organic and architectural forms, and then using my own interpretations to bring that aesthetic to life using metal, precious stones, patina, and anodizing. My Design philosophy of organic infused with industrial is demonstrated through a mix of natural shapes and geometric structures, with great attention to detail and quality of workmanship.

Encapsulating the energy of these forms using color, contrast, texture, and shape, my intention for these objects are to adorn the body, to display their attractiveness, to make ourselves more attractive and more sensual. My work is best described as Industrial-Organic which provides an exquisiteness to these sculptural jewellery pieces evoking emotion and stimulating our senses.

Tell us an interesting fact or tidbit about the pieces of which you’ve sent photos

1. Hinged Pyrite Cube Bracelet

2011
Sterling silver, 14 k yellow gold, iron pyrite, anodized titanium.
2.2 x 7.5 x 7 cm
$5000.00

Hinged Pyrite Cube Bracelet is a great example of my highest achievement, very technically challenging, and authentic to my artistic approach and sensibility.  This bracelet is hand fabricated including the hinges and locking rail catch mechanism, the natural pyrite crystals are hammer set and surrounded with 14 karat yellow gold, the anodized titanium is hand pierced with a jeweller’s saw. After each unit was completed, the layers are riveted together with gold tube rivets.

Support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board was received for this project: Independent Artists Grant, Saskatchewan Arts Board, 2010

Exhibited:

FORM – Four Regina Jewellery Artists, juried group exhibition, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK. 2011
Dimensions 2011, Saskatchewan Craft Council juried exhibition, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK.; Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK.; The Sam Waller Museum, The Pas, MB.;  Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, Red Deer, AB. Touring exhibition 2011 – 2012.
Dimensions 2011-MERIT AWARD: Melody Armstrong (Regina) for “Hinged Pyrite Cube Bracelet”, jewellery. Sponsored by Saskatoon Fastprint .

Published:

Art Jewelry Magazine, Kalmbach Publishing Co., March 2012 issue, International
The Crafts Report Magazine, Peer Perfection, Jones Publishing Inc., October 2013 issue, International
Art Jewelry Today 4, Schiffer Books, International, 2016.

2. Charcoal Velvet Beaded Neckpiece

2014
Sterling silver, 22k yellow gold bimetal, black onyx, silk thread.
15.5 x 15 x 1.9 cm
$4500.00

Part of the “Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong” Solo Exhibition at the Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery, this neckpiece was hand fabricated, techniques employed were mechanism construction, dapping, riveting, soldering, stone setting, texturing, silk knotting, and oxidizing.  It has a dark smoky velvet texture complimented by the rich gold band around each hand crafted bead, the faceted black onyx give a subtle sparkle in the background.  The central feature which is also the clasp mechanism creates a nice focal point on the neck of the wearer.  This piece is a great example of fine craft that has been well executed.

Support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board was received for this project: Independent Artists Grant, Saskatchewan Arts Board, 2013

Exhibited:

Solo Exhibition – Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong, Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery, Saskatoon, SK.  2015

Curvi : Linear, Melody Armstrong and Mary Lynn Podiluk, Contemporary Art Jewelry Exhibition, Mata Gallery,  Regina, SK.  2015

3. Basse Taille Neckpiece Wave

2010
Sterling silver, enamel on etched copper.
17 x 16 x 1 cm
$3000.00

Basse-Taille is an enamelling technique in which a low-relief pattern is etched into the metal, over which a translucent enamel is then fired.  Basse Taille Neckpiece Wave embodies my design aesthetic, combining gem-like enamelled components in settings influenced by a strong industrial sensibility.  The resulting interplay of colour and texture and visible construction methods, creates dynamic contrasts that are rich, alluring and of the utmost elegance.

Support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board was received for this project: Independent Artists Grant, Saskatchewan Arts Board, 2010

Exhibited:

2010 Basse Taille – Jewellery and Paintings, Art Gallery of Regina Showcase, Regina, SK.
FORM – Four Regina Jewellery Artists, juried group exhibition, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK. 2011
Dimensions 2011, Saskatchewan Craft Council juried exhibition, MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK.; Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK.; The Sam Waller Museum, The Pas, MB.;  Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery, Red Deer, AB. Touring exhibition 2011 – 2012.
Fire and Fusion:  A Canadian Enamelling Exhibition, juried exhibition, Rainbow Gallery, Toronto, ON. 2013

Published:

MAGazine – Metal Arts Guild Publication – Metal That Glows: The Enamel Issue, Autumn 2010.
MAGazine – Metal Arts Guild Publication – Larger Than Life Exhibition in Print, 2011.
Art Jewelry Today 4, Schiffer Books, International, 2016.

4. Luxor Collar

2010
Sterling silver, 14k yellow gold, hessonite garnet, anodized titanium, anodized niobium.
17.5 x17.5 x .6 cm
$3250.00

Using foldforming, anodizing, riveting, and stone setting techniques,  I created a collar that appears to be from antiquity, maybe ancient Egypt.  Luxor collar is reminiscent of an exquisite piece worn by a Queen of the Nile. Fabricated with layers of different metals, some oxidized and some anodized, a rich and alluring neckpiece has been created, complimented by the sparkle of the deep orange hessonite garnets and juxtaposed by purple dangle elements. This collar hugs the neck and moves with the woman wearing it.

Support from the Saskatchewan Arts Board was received for this project: Independent Artists Grant, Saskatchewan Arts Board, 2010

Exhibited:

FORM – Four Regina Jewellery Artists, juried group exhibition, Affinity Gallery, Saskatoon, SK. 2011
Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition 2012, online group exhibition juried by Charles Lewton-Brain, Tim McCreight, Ed Mack

Published:

Saskatchewan Arts Board Annual Report, Regional, 2010
Art Jewelry Today 3, Schiffer Books, International, 2011
Making Metal Jewelry, Kalmbach Publishing Co., September 2014 issue, International