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Artists > Patricia Carlson

Metal Jewelry

An Alaskan resident for twenty-six years, I have always considered myself an art “maker.” I learned the textile arts early, and took my first jewelry class in Sweden. Although my formal training is in linguistics and language learning, I am now completing my BFA in Metals at UAF.

My media include fiber, metals, gems, and pigment; I love to play with texture, line, form, and the impact of social issues on our culture. In 2007, the Anchorage Museum acquired my 17’ long bracelet sculpture named Global Warming Advances Invasive Jewelry Species: Bush Aides Deny. It was on display as a part of the All-Alaska Juried Show at the time. My necklace entitled Glacial Pools, a comment on our melting glaciers, was published in Metal Clay Beads by Barbara Becker Simon.

Last year I worked on a series called Genetically Modified Food Chains, oxidized handmade chains with cast sterling and bronze seeds that are attached in strange configurations. My message is to make the viewer curious about what the food industry is currently doing to the food we eat. I also have explored the ancient techniques of repousse and chasing. I enjoy the pushing and pulling of the metal to form three-dimensional images. My bracelets are embellished with this technique. I also love to forge bracelets, earrings, and bowls, raising flat sheet metal into useful shapes.

In my Braided Rivers ring collection I mimic the complex beauty of our Alaskan rivers. Travelers can view these meandering rivers in the Interior from the air. Some of these silver rings show sparkling crystals, while others are oxidized to a dark grey in contrast to the embedded gems.