CONTENTS
Adorn
Artist Statement
This enameled brooch and necklace series, Adorn, was inspired by my experience with eczema, acne, and scars and how these skin conditions have affected my life. With this work, I want to challenge the idea that skin is considered ugly when burdened by the presence of an imperfection. These pieces were crafted to amplify the grotesque appearance and overwhelming feeling of rashes and other skin conditions by having an overt presence on the body as adornment.
The brooches were made by layering specific enamel colors and textures, resembling various scars that can inhabit flesh. Each piece is housed in a setting with bold borders that protect the enamel and enhance the illusion of a blemish being implanted on the skin. When held or worn, the pieces feel heavy, giving a sense of the emotional weight that is carried when one is burdened by the shame that often accompanies these physical wounds.
Historically the process of enameling has been used as a means to apply color onto metal to imitate the vibrant colors of precious and semi-precious gemstones. By taking these imperfections and presenting them on the body as adornment and rendering them in enamel, I suggest that they are more than just a burden; I transform them into beautiful gems to be revered.
Skin Brooch
Torn
Untitled
PORTFOLIO
Blemish
Brain Brooch
Cv
Chelsea Barlow Metalsmith/Jeweler
Racine, WI
262-504-0630
chelsea.salena97@gmail.com
Education
May 2023
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Jewelry and Metalsmithing Concentration, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Internships
Goldsmith apprentice, Kesslers Diamond, Greenfield, WI, 2022
Metal Production and Polishing apprentice, Forever Companies, Franklin, WI, 2021
Relevant Experience
Teaching Assistant, Blacksmithing, College for Kids & Teens, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, scheduled 2023
Goldsmith, Kesslers Diamonds, Greenfield, WI, 2022- present
Polisher, Forever Companies, Franklin, WI 2021-2022
Student Technician, Jewelry & Metals Area/Studio, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
Metals Area Lead, UWM Studio Arts & Craft Centre, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
Awards and Honors
2023
First place, Harold A. Milbrath Memorial Jewelry and Metalsmithing Prize, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2022
First place, Kessler's 2022 Sparkle Scholarship, Kessler's Diamonds, Milwaukee, WI
Second place, Harold A. Milbrath Memorial Jewelry and Metalsmithing Prize, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2021
First place, Kessler's 2021 Sparkle Scholarship, Kessler's Diamonds, Milwaukee, WI
Loose Bead Society Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Dean's Honors List, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Exhibitions
2023
2023 BA/BFA Spring Exhibition,Group Show, Kenilworth 4th Floor Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Makers!23 Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Group Show, Kenilworth 3rd Floor Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
2022
Contemporary Craft Sale and Exhibition, Group Show, INOVA Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Crossing Over, Group Show, Art Center Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Makers!22 Annual Juried Student Exhibition, Group Show, Kenilworth 3rd Floor Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, https://sites.uwm.edu/metals-exhibition/artists-2022/
2021
Crossing Over, Group Show, Union Art Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Contemporary Craft Sale and Exhibition, Group Show, INOVA Gallery, University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Kessler's 21 (2021) Sparkle Gala, Group Show, Kessler's Diamonds, Milwaukee, WI
Makers!21 Annual Juried Student Exhibition, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Virtual, https://sites.uwm.edu/metals-exhibition/artists/
2020
Kessler's 2020 Sparkle Gala, Group Show, Kessler's Diamonds, Milwaukee, WI
Workshops Attended
2021
Intro to Cabochon Lapidary, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
Intro to Powder Coating, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 2021
artist Bio
Chelsea Barlow is currently a BFA candidate with a focus on Jewelry and Metalsmithing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts. Her work focuses on the execution of metal fabrication techniques and other complex technical processes of jewelry making. Her current body of work explores the visual appearance of rashes and wounds and other external blemishes that inhibit the human body. With the use of material studies in vitreous enameling techniques, she crafts pieces of jewelry that challenge that idea of adornment and beauty, by presenting visually grotesque objects on the body as precious gems.
Barlow has been an active member of the jewelry program at UWM, helping with studio maintenance as a student technician, and has worked as the metals lead for UWM Studio Arts and Crafts Center. She has also participated in a classroom assistantship under Yevgeniya Kaganovich. Barlow has had work displayed in various exhibitions, including Makers!21, Makers!22, and Makers!23 Annual Juried Student Exhibition, as well as the Contemporary Craft Sale and Exhibition in 2021 and 2022. She has also participated in Kesslers Diamonds Sparkle scholarship competition twice, winning first place in 2021 and 2022. She is currently working for Kesslers Diamonds as a goldsmith in training.