Metalsmith Magazine. Vol 44 No 2

When one thinks of a monument, one tends to conjure certain physical and material qualities: a large, sculptural form, usually publicly situated, often made from impenetrable, long-lasting materials—crossover traits recognizable within jewelry and adornment. But monumentality is about more than mere material: an imposing marble obelisk; a sleek, black granite wall etched with names; or a more-than-human-scale bronze of some horse-mounted military figure. These real-life references are symbolic of people, places, events, and ideas, but interpretations of their meanings and what they memorialize lack fixity—despite their erectors’ intentions.

Overt monumentality is easily clocked in a new series we launch with this issue: tracing creative lineages within Indigenous metalsmithing and jewelry practice, starting with influential bronze sculptor Allan Houser. Also in these pages you’ll find Preston Jackson’s figurative metal sculptures, which are often accompanied by folkloric narratives that aid in monumentalizing his subjects. A feature-length interview with Jackson offers readers a fuller picture of his career as a storyteller, and this issue’s Voice & Vision captures his character-driven writing practice. Intermingling among these are subtler nods to monumentality and memorialization: jeweler Caroline Gore has a knack for giving even the smallest beautiful thing a larger-than-life impact, and Susie Heuberger’s bold necklaces are symbolic homages and offerings. The notions of site and scale are at play in Findings as well, wherein Liz Steiner explores evolving models for artist residencies and support opportunities.

Lack of fixity also applies to questions of material meanings. Rebecca Enderby builds upon and extends the material ethics conversation we began in the previous issue by unpacking the realm of lab-grown diamonds. And LOOK showcases a variety of jewelry and metals artists using a metamorphic paper-composite known as Thurmanite™. Much like the multiple, layered interpretations possible when we ask what a monument stands for, the content herein contains many angles for contemplation. Your feedback on what this issue conjures for you is always welcome: editor@snagmetalsmith.org

/ Adriane Dalton, Editor


Features:

Preserving Stories in Metal. A Conversation With Preston Jackson
Memorializing as Medium by Grace Stewart

The Smallest Beautiful Thing. The Work of Caroline Gore
A jeweler's poetic material sensibility transcends scale By Marjorie Simon


Departments:

• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Mary Lee Hu
• VOICE & VISION: Preston Jackson
• FINDINGS Residencies in 2024 By Liz Steiner
• VIEW Indigenous Expression By RoseMary Diaz
• FRESH OFF THE BENCH: Mengjie Mo
• ASK ME ANYTHING: April Higashi
• IN THE STUDIO Susie Heuberger: By Daniel Brena
• LOOK Paper Alchemy By Jessica Todd
• CRIT GROUP Lab-Grown Diamonds By Rebecca Enderby
• EVENTS CALENDAR Happenings