Motoko Furuhashi
Motoko Furuhashi was born in 1982 in Tokyo, Japan. While growing up in Tokyo, she received her introduction to art from her grandfather. Her recent works has been inspired by her experiences traveling around the world, and road that takes her to go one place to another. She received her Masters of Fine Art degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Currently, she is appointed as an Assistant Professor at New Mexico State University. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally including at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Oakland Museum of California, and Nobana Art Works in Ginza in Tokyo. Publications include 500 Plastic Jewelry design by Lark Books, New Rings: 500+ Designs from Around the World by Nicolas Estrada, and Humor in Craft by Brigitte Martin.
Research Detail:
I am deeply fascinated with imperfection and the complexity of the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death as the processes that govern life. The overall intent with my work has been to slow the viewer down and make what goes unnoticed important. By highlighting what is viewed as imperfect my work can bring relevance to the object. My belief is that objects only gain importance when the artist draws attention to them. My work is a shift in the meaning of perfection transforming our perception of reality to new perspectives.
Demitra Thomloudis
Demitra Thomloudis is a studio jeweler, visual artist and an Assistant Professor in the Jewelry and Metalwork area at the Lamar Dodd School of Art located at the University of Georgia. Originally from the Philadelphia area, she received her MFA from San Diego State University and her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Her work is recognized nationally and internationally and has been invited to exhibit, lecture, and teach at institutions/fairs/events such as SOFA Chicago, Athens (Greece) Jewellery Week and the Penland School of Crafts to name a few. Artist residencies include a yearlong appointment at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft and Smitten Forum. Demitra is included in publications such as, 500 Plastic and Resin Jewelry and 500 Enameled Objects, The Art of Jewelry: Plastic & Resin: Techniques, Projects and Inspiration. Demitra’s work is represented by Charon Kransen Arts-USA, Alliages Organization-France, and Penland Gallery located at the Penland School of Crafts- USA.
Research Detail:
My jewelry is influenced by the vernacular architecture and landscapes of site-specific locations. This interest has led me to identity particular aesthetic characteristics and construction techniques that I employ to create works to be worn on the body. As an artist using jewelry/objects as an artistic format for self-expression, my work intends to challenge the construct of the medium as a means to examine value, material sign systems and extensions of personal/place identity. By relating to the aesthetics of architecture/landscape/place in this way I see jewelry having the potential to connect us closer to the world we are surrounded by.