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Welcome to this edition of Ornament Magazine! Patrick R. Benesh-Liu brings the recent exhibition, “Blue Gold: The Art & Science of Indigo,” into focus. This educational and beautiful show, hosted by Mingei International Museum as part of the Getty’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative, shows that the blue colors we wear come with thousands of years of hard work and struggle.
Robert K. Liu provides a comparison between the ancient and the modern craftsperson, using his own personal experience in making as a reference, as well as ancient examples of crafts.
Ashley Callahan investigates the jewelry of Nikki Couppee, who is inspired by her native Florida. The bright colors, sparkle and glitz of the Sunshine State are recreated in her NeoGems and HoloGems, using silver foil and acrylic to make shining elements.
We revisit the late Carolyn L.E. Benesh’s coverage of Ken Cory, an inimitable American trickster who died young, but left an outsize impression on American contemporary art jewelry.