Kiff Slemmons – Beach found objects jewelry
Kiff Slemmons is a self-taught metalsmith who has been exhibiting for more than 30 years. The daughter of a newspaper publisher and editor, language and the written word have important roles in her work. In 2007 she completed the project Re:Pair and Imperfection, in which she transformed unfinished, unwanted, or otherwise discarded works from selected artists, a traveling exhibition which originated at the Chicago Cultural Center in 2006. More recently she has worked in Oaxaca, Mexico with local artisans to produce paper jewelry. In November 2007 she was interviewed for the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art. Her work can be found in permanent collections around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Mint Museum, North Carolina; Contemporary Museum, Hawaii; and the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington. Kiff Slemmons currently lives and works in Chicago.
Kiff Slemmons – « Starfish Memory » Necklace
Kiff Slemmons - « Twist » Brooch
Kiff Slemmons – Puako Pallette » Brooch
Kiff Slemmons – « Vase » Brooch
Kiff Slemmons - « Bib (mounted piece) (& detail)
Kiff Slemmons – « Pebbles » Necklace
Kiff Slemmons – « Anthozoans » Necklace
Among these works in non-precious materials and found objects are the artists « Insectopedia » series, which is a collection of metal pins fusing insects with typography. She’s also known for working with found objects like shells, stones and bones as in her work “Atoll Necklace” and “Mouse Bones.” The work “Atoll Necklace” came out of the collaborative beach combings of Slemmon’s and fellow artist, Kay Sekimachi in Puako, Hawaii.
Kiff Slemmons, Atoll necklace, mixed media. (Photograph courtesy of Science blog Bioephemera)
Kiff Slemmons - « Petals » Brooch
Kiff Slemmons - « tochtli » Brooch
Kiff Slemmons - « Tangle » Necklace
Kiff Slemmons - « Spine » Necklace (all images Velvet da Vinci gallery)