Michele Benjamin
United States
www.michelebenjamin.com
Her jewelry collection is inspired by an appreciation for fine art and nature. Her “Bees” are in the Whitney Museum Shop. Her artistic designs are certified “Made in New York” of sustainable sterling silver. She earned a BA in Art History from Arizona State University with post-graduate studies at Parsons School of Design.
- When did you start dedicating yourself to the world of contemporary jewelry?
I began creating sterling silver jewelry in 2013.
- What do you take inspiration from when you start creating a new collection?
Michele Benjamin Jewelry designs are inspired by the beauty found in nature, perceived space, and abstracted form. Each design has it’s own symbolic meaning. The “Bee” is inspired by the bee hive located on the rooftops of the Whitney Museum of American Art that produces "Flora" honey, which "sweetens" the art world and our daily lives.
- What kind of work or material do you prefer?
Sterling silver is my material of choice due to its versatility and luminosity.
- What are your points of reference in the world of contemporary jewelry and art?
I attend conferences, curator-tours at museum shows, including Whitney Museum, Museum of Art and Design, Cooper Hewitt, and Smithsonian that relate to art, sculpture, and jewelry. I participate in Women’s Jewelry association, and have studied design, art history, and my studio practice,
- Three words with which you would describe the Artistar Jewels project.
World class exhibition
- What do you think of the jewels that were on show this year?
The jewelry shown in the exhibition emphasizes a vast multitude of innovative designs that are realized in a wide range of materials as demonstrated in the Artistar catalog and videos.
Have you been fascinated by any particular creation?
I was fascinated by many of the pieces that were both large an small scale, sculptural and minimalist. There was a woman wearing a life-size wire design outline of a woman’s face form shown in profile as an earring in the exhibition which was very original and very modern, reminding me of Alexander Calder in a way. Overall the innovative and creative approach to jewelry design offered a wide range of ideas, also very inclusive and encompassing fashion, art and style in an incredible collection of ideas presented masterfully under one roof in a historic setting in the heart of Milan.
- Would you recommend to other artists to take part in Artistar Jewels?
Yes
- What were the services / opportunities that most pushed you to participate in the event?
I was honored to have the opportunity to introduce Michele Benjamin Jewelry in Italy during Milan Fashion Week, in a juried exhibition via Artistar who provided a spectacular presentation, exhibiting amongst amazing designers from across the globe, in a beautiful and historical environment. Artistar's welcoming staff helped me the entire way through the juried entry and application process, providing immediate responses and expert advice.
Go visit her website www.michelebenjamin.com
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