lauren blais

The objects that I make are inspired by my past and historical references. Jewelry as wearable art has always been important to me because it plays with the personal relationship to the body and the nostalgic connection it has created between people throughout history. I am drawn to ornate embellishments as well as the social acceptance of death, mourning, sentiment and nostalgia of the Victorian Era. I have always collected obscure objects throughout my life that hold sentimental value to myself while others may find them curious such as bugs, fur, hair, old family photos, letters, jewelry and linens. Basing my jewelry on these personal objects allows me to create something permanent that can be passed on through generations creating a new history of its own. Developed in the tradition and styles of the Victorian Era my jewelry focuses on ornamentation, symbolism and sentiment of my life. These pieces are predominately created by using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as lost wax casting, fabricating and enameling. These age-old traditions are linked back to the historical time periods that highly influence the conceptual aspects of my work. The repetition of historical connections between the processes and the aesthetics of my jewelry is an important aspect used in creating it.

Lauren Blais earned her BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design with a concentration in small metals. She currently lives in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.