about
Carmel Boerner graduated from Vancouver Community College’s Jewellery Art and Design Program in 2017. Prior to returning to school, she worked for over 20 years in various non-profits in Canada and the U.S, including the UBC Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California. She graduated from UBC and holds a B.Sc. in Zoology and an MBA in Arts Administration. Carmel’s work can be found online at www.graceanddecay.com.
artist statement
I am inspired by the Japanese aesthetic wabi-sabi, which celebrates graceful aging, imperfection and the maker’s hand. My jewelry often features decaying objects revealed as raw gems, remaining exactly as they were found, and embodying the splendor and magnificence of decay. Marks of hand fabrication are important – I want the wearer to feel the maker’s presence. The marks I make echo those of the makers who have forged the rusty objects I use in my work. In our throw-away culture, my jewelry reveres that which is commonly discarded.
I love creating one-of-a kind pieces for submission to exhibits. As an eternal student and lover of a deadline, I am inspired by exhibition calls and thrive on conducting research and exploring new materials and techniques, creating a piece around a concept. I enjoy poking around eBay and Etsy, beaches and barnyards, collecting rusty junk that strike my fancy.
