Nostalgia is a ring that harks back to the childhood routine of sitting in a bubble bath with a rubber duck. It speaks not only to the joys and wonders of childhood but also to the horrors and hatred we are shielded from. That blue bath and rubber duck are a safety net that we are unaware we are tangled in, the reality of the world waiting outside the tub. Nostalgia brings us back to when we were carefree, with no worries in the world, just the simplicity of sitting in a bath, laughing and splashing to our heart's content.
This ring marks the start of my journey with patina and is the bouncing-off point for my entire artistic practice surrounding themes of childhood, memory, and identity.
Nostalgia was a part of the virtual exhibition for [queerphoria] vol. 4: connections hosted and curated by QueerMetalsmiths during the 2024 NYC Jewelry Week.
Nostalgia | copper, verdigris patination, plastic duck | 2.5 x 1.7 x .63 inches | 2022 | front view
Nostalgia | copper, verdigris patination, plastic duck | 2.5 x 1.7 x .63 inches | 2022 | detail
Nostalgia | copper, verdigris patination, plastic duck | 2.5 x 1.7 x .63 inches | 2022 | back view
Process Images
Soldering the "bubbles" (inner domes) onto one half of the top of the hollow ring,
Outer band and inner band soldered onto one side of the ring.
Another view of the ring soldered onto one of the outer walls of the ring.
Both sides soldered onto the inner and outer bands. Officially a "hollow" ring
Top view of the sealed hollow ring.
View of the inner part of the hollow ring. Seen is a drilled hole in the side-metal piece for a jeweler's saw to be threaded through and cut.
View of the solder.
Another view of the solder.
View of the filed and sanded hollow ring before the patination process. Solder spills still visible, so more sanding is needed.