This summer I learned a new technique - plasma cutting.
With the helpful instruction, equipment and shop supplied by Terry Johnston, I was able to materialize a vision I had of creating my small scale jewellery designs originally made from copper into large scale sculptural objects made out of steel.  I wanted to retain the rough blown out plasma edges and the rusty corroded surfaces of the steel juxtaposing that with a reflective interior gold surface.

The basic plasma cutting process involves creating an electrical channel of ionized gas i.e. plasma from the plasma cutter itself, through the work piece to be cut, thus forming a completed electric circuit back to the plasma cutter via a grounding clamp. This is accomplished by a compressed gas (oxygen, air, inert and others depending on material being cut) which is blown through a focused nozzle at high speed toward the work piece. An electrical arc is then formed within the gas, between an electrode near or integrated into the gas nozzle and the work piece itself. The electrical arc ionizes some of the gas, thereby creating an electrically conductive channel of plasma. As electricity from the cutter torch travels down this plasma it delivers sufficient heat to melt through the work piece. At the same time, much of the high velocity plasma and compressed gas blow the hot molten metal away, thereby separating i.e cutting through the work piece.

PLASMA STEEL STRUCTURE - Melody Armstrong, 2015, steel, gold paint, fabricated, plasma cut, 3 pieces:
51.5 x 43 x 8.5 cm.  $825;  36 x 30 x 7 cm.  $725;  36 x 30 x 7 cm.  $725

"Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong" at the Saskatchewan Craft Council's Affinity Gallery:

Currently on display at MATA GALLERY
Curvi : Linear • Contemporary Art Jewelry
October 24 - November 28, 2015
http://www.matagallery.ca/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=81

In case you missed the Exhibition in Saskatoon here is a great
interview with Mary Lynn Podiluk, Curator of "Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong" at the Saskatchewan Craft Council's Affinity Gallery on September 12, 2015. In this exhibition of wearable works, Melody Armstrong showcases elaborate and complex jewellery pieces which juxtapose organic reference with industrial aesthetic. The show was featured in Affinity Gallery from September 4 to October 17, 2015.

Some of this work is now on display at Mata Gallery:

MARY LYNN PODILUK and MELODY ARMSTRONG
Curvi : Linear • Contemporary Art Jewelry
October 24 - November 28, 2015

http://www.matagallery.ca/Exhibit_Detail.cfm?ShowsID=81

At Mata Gallery
Curvi : Linear • Contemporary Art Jewelry by MARY LYNN PODILUK and MELODY ARMSTRONG opening reception!

Show is on display
October 24, 2015 - November 28, 2015

The Saskatchewan Craft Council is pleased to present Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong, an exhibition of new work from SCC artist Melody Armstrong, curated by Mary Lynn Podiluk.
In this exhibition of wearable works, Melody Armstrong showcases elaborate and complex jewellery pieces which juxtapose organic reference with industrial aesthetic. Armstrong aims to investigate new design ideas which incorporate mastered traditional technique. She finds that the scale of jewellery allows for an intimate interaction between object and viewer. Armstrong writes:
“My jewellery is born through a diligent creative process of influence, design rendering, and then using my metalsmithing skills to form and manipulate materials into my desired intention… my aim is to manipulate the materials to arrive at jewellery forms that elicit visual stimulus and tactile qualities.”
Melody Armstrong graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design with Distinction, majoring in Jewellery and Metal in 1999. Melody maintains a professional studio and is the jewellery instructor and artist in residence at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan.
--
Melody Armstrong would like to thank Terry Johnston for his assistance with the plasma cutting; Glen Grismer for contributing the aurora steel pieces; and Mary Lynn Podiluk for curating this show.
She would like to express her appreciation for the funding the Saskatchewan Arts Board provided in the development of this exhibition.

ON NEWSSTANDS NOW!
The Nov 2015 issue of Art Jewelry magazine covers results of the 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition.

My piece "VULVA RING" was selected as part the 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition! Results were announced on July 24, 2015 at the annual Foldform Awards Dinner at the Seligmann Center for the Arts. With special dinner guest Charles Lewton-Brain, the celebrated pioneer of foldforming, the evening ended with the first video screening of the 2015 competition winners.
Results are covered in the November print issue of Art Jewelry magazine.

VULVA RING – Melody Armstrong, 2014, copper, sterling silver, foldformed, riveted, soldered, oxidized, 2.7 x 4.1 x 2.1 cm.  $450

Available at Mata Gallery.

Sue Lacy was also invited to write an article on the evolution of foldforming to frame that story...  There is also a tutorial by Casey Sheppard on making three foldform cuffs that build on each other. Metal artists, this is the issue to buy for your foldforming library! Individual copies also available at https://store.jewelrymakingmagazines.com/…/ART151101__Art-J…

Center for Metal Arts News Aug 6, 2016
www.centerformetalarts.com
The Results! 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition
We are very pleased to share the results of the 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition with you! Results were announced on July 24, 2015 at the annual Foldform Awards Dinner at the Seligmann Center for the Arts. With special dinner guest Charles Lewton-Brain, the celebrated pioneer of foldforming, the evening ended with the first video screening of the 2015 competition winners.

Excerpt from Aug 5, 2015 Press Release: 
Dan Lippitt of Madison, WI, U.S., won First Place with “Stovchen III,” a sterling silver tea warmer. Ira Sherman of Denver, CO, U.S. took Second Place for “The Hoshen,” a Torah Hoshen Breast Plate of sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones. Christina Brandewie of Cincinnati, OH, U.S., was awarded Third Place for a sterling silver and yellow gold “Honeycomb Bracelet.” Linda Leviton of Lewis Center, OH, U.S., received Honorable Mention for her large copper wall sculpture, “Animal Vegetable Mineral.” The jury also recognized 27 entries in the Jurors’ Choice round, a record high for the competition.
Now in its fourth year, the Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition invites metal artists everywhere to submit their work in a global competition designed to survey the evolving field of foldforming as a metal arts technique. This annual event challenges makers to share their most innovative and best work, and recognizes new applications of the techniques first pioneered by Charles Lewton-Brain. Hosted by the Center for Metal Arts, the 2015 Lewton-Brain Foldform Competition closed this year with a submission deadline of June 15th, 2015.

The 2015 jurors are three well-known leaders in the metal arts community; Charles Lewton-Brain, Artist Goldsmith and Foldforming Pioneer, Hazel Wheaton, Editor of Art Jewelry magazine, and Dr. Hanuman Aspler, Owner / Co-Founder of The Ganoksin Project. They were tasked with selecting the winners and Jurors' Choice entries from a strong field of foldformed jewelry, sculpture, vessels, and functional objects from Aruba, Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Scotland, and across the United States.
Competition sponsors that support this event are Art Jewelry magazine, Center for Metal Arts, The Ganoksin Project, the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts, and Rio Grande. The winners will receive prizes including Rio Grande gift certificates, a one-year subscription to Art Jewelry magazine, and a small foldformed object crafted by foldforming pioneer Charles Lewton-Brain.

Results will be covered in the November print issue of Art Jewelry magazine for the third consecutive year, with Jurors' Choice selections included in a special online gallery. The Ganoksin Project will share results with its global audience at www.ganoksin.com. For news about future competitions and to view previous years' video results, see http://www.centerformetalarts.com/foldform-competition.html.

Read the entire press release including the complete detailed list of winners and Jurors' Choice selections at http://www.prlog.org/12481600.html.
 

All winning pieces and Jurors' Choice entries are showcased in the annual competition video; click to watch!

At the Neil Balkwill Centre Jewellery Studio.

Curatorial Statement:
Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong
Sep 30, 2015 |

Submitted  by: Mary Lynn Podiluk, Curator of Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong




Artist Melody Armstrong (left) and Curator Mary Lynn Podiluk (right).

Evoking a sense of boldness with a presence that is uncompromising and original, Melody Armstrong makes a statement through her sculptural, wearable art jewellery. She has chosen metal as her dominant component, allowing for technical flexibility while the material informs her designs. Metal is a challenging but versatile element—it is hard and resilient yet not immovable, reluctant to take shape while being worked, and equally resistant to losing that shape once formed. Melody’s work originates from a piece of raw metal and is hand-fabricated, allowing the metal to influence the design itself, its properties lending their character every step of the way without overshadowing her vision for the work.

 

In many ways, this work evokes a sense of the night sky. The patina of the metal absorbs light instead of shining, the satin finish giving a diffuse glow reminiscent of moonlit clouds. Colours and shapes suggest fading twilight, dancing aurora and bright morning, contrasting with the darkened metal which appears to be silhouetted or in shadow. Her aesthetic is built on geometric shapes juxtaposed with curved lines, repeating elements adding structure and unifying this body of work. There is contrast between spontaneous elements, such as the five-sided shapes that evolved through process and material, and meticulous, deliberate forms like each link of handmade chain.



Melody’s work is created without compromise or adherence to convention, placing it in the realm of art rather than adornment. Art jewellery—which emphasizes experimentation, expression, and innovation—stands out against many other art fields in its multiple options for display. It can be exhibited as seen here, but can also be worn, the body becoming the canvas to support the piece of art, with the wearer taking the work outside the bounds of the gallery. Even so, it is not adornment; the piece is its own self-contained experience, encompassing creativity and conceptual design, rather than serving the purpose of defining or enhancing the wearer’s personal style. It is less a status symbol, rather, a statement of expression by both the artist and the wearer. It is within this context that Melody Armstrong’s practice resides. As one of the pioneers of art jewellery in Saskatchewan, she has actively engaged herself as a contemporary jewellery artist, becoming known within the arts community for her unique and individual aesthetic, as well as her contributions and accomplishments. Through this exhibition, she demonstrates her passion and vision, continuing to illuminate the possibilities that jewellery has to offer.


Contemporary Jewellery by Melody Armstrong will be displayed in Affinity Gallery until October 17, 2015. The Gallery is open Monday-Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, and open late Thursdays until 8 pm.