Screen Printing Makes an Impression
Gwen Gibson, Fractured Traditions (Vessel Pendant), 1999
Polymer, silk screen, gold and silver acrylic paint
Between 1999 and 2001, Gwen fully explored screen printing on a wide variety of formats including cuff bracelets, inro, lentil beads and other jewelry forms. Gwen chose black polymer as a foil to her Japanese inspired patterns because it polishes to a luster reminiscent of lacquer. Gwen explains,“This … pendent with a lid was my solution to creating a wearable hollow form. …The patched surface is made of silk-screened patterns on translucent polymer. I consider this pendant one of my more technically accomplished (jewelry) pieces.
3 Pendants, 2001
Gwen says, “These pendants were inspired by the ancient Japanese practice of wearing layers of kimonos that showed only at the neck and hem. In contrast to the literal interpretation, I abstracted the concept and translated it onto a new form.”
During this period Gwen generously shared her many discoveries and techniques through workshops all across the country. Her exuberant experimentation, her spontaneity and warmth inspired many polymer enthusiasts to adopt her techniques and forms.
I cannot remember a time in my life that I wasn't interested in looking at art, talking about art and the making of art. In 1990 I earned a Phd in art history at the University of Maryland. My first experiences with polymer clay were in 1992, but I consider my real work with the medium to date from 1999.