AEQUOR
GRADUATE COLLECTION PORTFOLIO A L E X I S M I T CHE L L - T A Y L OR
THEN & NOW
COLLECTION DEBRIEF My graduate collection started with inspiration for the sea, I wanted to explore structures of the underwater world. Taking a particular interest in reoccurring forms in coral, anemones and urchins. Working from home due to the pandemic led me to using alternative materials such as, resin and silicone. While the objects in this collection are replicated in materials that are known to be harmful to marine ecology, the purpose is to decide how such substances might be used responsibly and effectively, rather than to dismiss them outright. Silicone and resin produce transparent layers, and allow for incredible light effects, stilted silver frames and solid forms are incorporated to exaggerate the clearness of these materials; weight and texture are deceptive, inviting curiosity from the viewer or wearer. Such translucency affords the wearer some autonomy, as the jewellery might be arranged to perform bright surface patterns alongside bold coloured fabrics. Rather than close down conversations on environmental matters, these jewellery pieces, motivated by forms found in nature, are intended to act as provocations, stimulating discussions on agency, materiality and responsibility.
DESIGN BOARDS
Silicone components are connected to the resin with glue. The feature component is then stitched onto fishing line. The fishing line is then continued to create the necklace chain.
SILICONE, RESIN
SILICONE, RESIN, FISHING LINE
SILICONE, RESIN, SILVER, FISHING LINE
SILICONE, RESIN, SILVER, FISHING LINE
RESIN, FISHING LINE
SILICONE, RESIN, SILVER, FISHING LINE
SILICONE, RESIN, SILVER, FISHING LINE
SILICONE, FISHING LINE, SILVER, STEEL
The silicone component is attached to the silver frame by fishing line. Multiple thicknesses (0.3, 0.5, 0.8 and 1mm) of the fishing line are blanket stitched to create a secure join.
SILICONE, FISHING LINE, SILVER, STEEL
SILICONE, FISHING LINE, SILVER, STEEL
SILICONE, RESIN, SILVER
The components are made from casted resin urchins, then layered silicone pieces are glued underneath. The brooch frame is made from a silver frame, the top components are connected by posts that are drilled into the resin.
CLAY, SILVER, STEEL
The clay components are hand sculpted and are attached to the silver brooch frame via posts. The clay is pressed onto the posts whilst it is still drying to provide a strong connection.
CLAY, SILVER
SILICONE, SILVER
The silicone components are sitting inside the silver frame with tension. The silver frames circumference is slightly smaller than the silicones therefore the silicone casts can be popped in and remain secure.
SILVER, STEEL
The silver elements are comprised of domed and drilled sheet. 1mm wire is then rolled down and formed with pliers to create tendrils. These parts are then soldered onto a silver wire frame to create the brooch.
SILVER
SILVER
RESIN, SILVER, STEEL The resin urchins are created through a series of castings. These are attached to the silver brooch frame via posts. The posts are pressed through drilled holes in the resin.
SILVER, SILICONE
The silicone is pulled over the hollow wire frame, enough tension is created for a secure fit. The shank can be left plain silver or be etched with a design to echo the silicone component
SILICONE, RESIN, SILVER, FISHING LINE
The silicone top is casted from , alfonzo urchin. It is attached to the silver with fishing line. It is stitched using the blanket technique.
The resin top is casted from a sputnik urchin. It is attached to the silver frame via 2 L shaped posts that run through the middle and are pressed into drilled holes in the resin.
The deconstructed urchin ladder is threaded together with fishing line. This line is threaded through drilled holes and is double knotted at the back, so all pieces remain facing forward. The silver broken urchin feature is threaded on through drilled holes. The resin components have tubing set into the backs of them and the fishing line is pulled through those.
SILVER, RESIN, FISHING LINE
SILVER, FISHING LINE
Casted components from wax casts of different types of urchins. These would me connected by a series of jump rings.
BRONZE, SILVER
BRONZE, SILICONE, SILVER, STEEL The bronze feature is made from a wax casting. This piece is attached to the silver frame with a claw setting. The rippled silicone piece is removable and is held in with the tension of the frame and bronze top.
SILICONE, FISHING LINE
This neckpiece is made from layers of rippled silicone. Sheets of the material are made then shaped into ruffles. The ruffles are made by sewing a continuous line of fishing line through them. This line also creates the necklace chain.
SILICONE, FISHING LINE
RESIN, SILVER, STEEL
The main component is made from resin molded from a cavity of expanding foam. It is attached to the silver frame via posts that connect to the resin through drilled holes. Added embellishments of silver rings allow the piece to have movement.
RESIN, FISHING LINE, SILVER, STEEL
This piece is made from a resin cast with fishing line threaded through drilled holes. The base is a silver wire frame, it holds the resin with posts that fill drilled holes.
RESIN, FISHING LINE, SILVER, STEEL
BRONZE, SILVER
The casted bronze rings are created with a wax mould of expanding foam and a wax shank is added. They have been adorned with silver features riveted on. Such features include domes, tubing and formed twisted metal
BRONZE, SILVER
FINAL PIECES
EXACTAM EAM