An Alphabet of Rings
H – size Q (LE) or Dia18.1mm; L37mm
J size Q (LE) or Dia18mm; L48mm
I – size M (LE) or Dia16.7mm; L42mm
K size S (LE) or Dia18.39mm; L36mm
size O ½ or Dia18.1mm; L40mm M size N ½ or Dia17.5mm; L38mm N size R or Dia17.84mm; L21mm
size V or Dia20.8mm; L23mm P size S (LE) or Dia19.3mm; L40mm
Roseanne Bartley
An Alphabet of Rings, 2022 Sterling silver, blackened; Band depth 10mm Set of Twenty six $12,090 $480 each Custom sizing orders possible.
Artist Statement:
Arms, legs and spines describe elements of typeface in graphic design. In the making of an Alphabet of Rings however, my fingers and thumbs perform as an anatomical point of reference through which I determined the contour and form of each letter-ring.
Initially my criteria for wearability seemed to align quite nicely with the principles of typography, early on the rings easily demonstrated an upright orderliness and legibility – and then ‘f’ happened.
More of a flip than a flop, the pretence of these objects as rings remains open to curiosity and engagement, for it is the hole in their logic that encourages the viewer/wearer into an embodied engagement with a more open ended play on words.
Biography:
Roseanne Bartley is a New Zealand (Aotearoa) born Melbourne (Naarm) based artist jeweller, craft writer & design educator. From her initial art school training as a gold and silversmith Roseanne developed a research based interdisciplinary practice that examined the performativity of jewellery in urban space via studio, social process and public making; an expanded spatial approach she describes as facilimaking. Significant to this method are her use of surface archaeology, peripatetic process, makeshift accoutrements and DIY manuals. Recently her focus returned to an earlier interest in text and her current work explores the relationship between language and jewellery literature and making; concepts she develops through studio making, writing and reading practices. Roseanne was awarded a practice-based PhD from the School of Architecture and Design, RMIT in 2018.