Jill Herlands Relic Ring

Description

Artist Statement

I create contemporary art jewelry that explores the tension between the precious and the imperfect. Working primarily in metal, I combine sterling silver and gold with concrete, raw crystals, enamel, and other unconventional materials, allowing their contrasting textures and surfaces to remain visible. My work begins with materials rather than a fixed idea. I am interested in fracture, accumulation, imbalance, and the evidence of the hand. Rough surfaces, irregular forms, and unexpected elements challenge the conventions of traditional jewelry, while the body remains an essential point of reference.