The personal history of a material possesses the power of impacting the symbolic meaning of the object in which it is made into. The materials I use, such as pearls, fur, silver, and fabric, are often ordinary, yet they imbue the objects I create with meaning, creating a connection between the material and the experiences that have shaped my identity.

My process of making begins as an obsession with an emotion connected to an object, idea, or relationship. I combine numerous methods of making to create pieces about my experiences with love, sexuality, and anxiety. My expertise is not in a specific material and exploiting its properties, rather it is in exploiting the memories embodied by the material. My work incorporates the personal history of my materials, and in turn, the stories of my emotions.

The work that I am creating is about the fear and anxiety caused from a lack of intimacy in my relationships. Nearly a decade ago, I created a pillow and blanket out of white rabbit fur. These pieces were forced to reflect my desires rather than the reality of my emotions or experiences. I unknowingly created unwanted effigies that I carried with me for years. I am turning the materials from my past into objects of adornment, pierced by hundreds of pins and needles.

Below are a few samples of Vivienne’s Contemporary Art Jewelry. More of Vivienne’s work it can be found on her website, https://viviennevaray.com, or visit her Instagram page for her latest news https://www.instagram.com/viviennevaray/. Vivienne’s handmade modern baroque jewelry can be found at https://www.vialettethefifth.com.

Please contact D2 gallery for any additional inquiries, and to arrange to see Vivienne’s work in person.