Kelsey Hines, New Brunswick College of Craft and Design
“There is no greater feeling than staring into a dark and starry sky. It can make one feel insignificant and also completely connected to the universe at the same time. I have always been fascinated by planets and galaxies, and often take inspiration from stars, satellites, and orbital patterns. Duality and contrast are major focuses in all of my work and my submission piece is no different. Through my use of light and darkness, I’ve created a piece that embodies the vast depths of the night sky with its pinpricks of glittering stars amid looming planets and moons.
“I’ve handcrafted a hinged bracelet in sterling silver with copper accents. Four panels are connected by three sets of hinges and a pin clasp system. The surface of the panels has been textured with a diamond burr to add dimension. I’ve oxidized the entire piece to blacken the silver and create a deep spacey background. I’ve achieved a starry effect by drilling into the panels and leaving the holes bright and reflective. The textured silver and copper domes represent planetary bodies floating amidst the stars.”
Having just graduated from New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD) with a diploma in jewellery and metal arts, Hines will be returning to the school next year to enter its advanced studio practice program. She has won NBCCD’s Antithesis Award, as well as ‘Best Collection’ at the school’s annual jewellery and metal arts exhibition.
Jiaxin Lin, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design University
“My artwork often takes a critical view of social and cultural issues. This one is referencing the relationship between urban life and nature. The display of this brooch is unique. It has three different views in the front and one on the back. When people wear it, viewers can see the starry night and forest scene from the front. The wearer can also see a beautiful mountain and rusty building view when he or she looks down.
“There’s one more view that can only be seen when the brooch is lying down. In this modern age, people live inside the iron forest—that’s why I make the forest look so bright. When they look up, the city light is so bright, they cannot see stars. All they see are tall buildings and lights. That’s not starry night; it’s ‘starry lights.’ However, people still keep beautiful dreams about starry nights, so only when they put down the ‘dream’ can they see the reality.
“The whole thing is made of sterling silver. There are three pieces of metal in total. The main one is the biggest one. The back sheet (black starry night) and the mountain were made from the same sheet using the fold-forming technique. Liver of sulphur is used in the ‘buildings’ and ‘mountain,’ to get the rusty look of the city and distinctive appearance of the mountain. Blackener was used on the back sheet to give the night feeling. Then, holes were drilled on it to create the look of stars. Some of the holes run all the way through; some, just halfway through. When there’s a beam of light behind the brooch, people can feel the starry night better.”
Lin is in her third year at Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NSCAD) University.
