"metal + matter - a jewelry invitational" is a celebration of modern jewelry makers and an homage to our roots. Over the next 6 weeks, we'll get to know one of our featured artists through their own words and images.
Adia Mei Jun Bobo's Rain City Forge jewelry has been a cornerstone of our collection for several years now. Her mastery of texture pairs nicely with her sensibility for creating comfortable, wearable forms. For this show she's brought several bold new pieces as well as an extended collection of the work we've come to know and love in sterling silver and 24k gold vermeil.
How would you describe what you make?
I make jewelry wardrobe staples that are classic, super versatile and easy to wear. I have a bit of a thing for texture and love showcasing it into clean, modern silhouettes.
What drew you to this medium and style of work?
When I first started making jewelry, it was very bead and finding heavy - I took my first metalsmithing class in order to have more control over the components in my work and fell into the metalwork rabbit hole, never to return (lol). There’s something very satisfying about taking pieces of flat sheet metal and wire and working them into multi-dimensional pieces. Add in the limitless options for adding different textures and playing with alternate materials - what’s not to love?
Can you tell us about your favorite piece in the current collection?
At the moment, my favorite piece(s) are anything in the Horizon series. My favorite place in the world is the ocean and the series is loosely based on the shapes, textures and light rays that you’d see while walking along the beach, listening to the surf with a heavy emphasis on cloud formations.
Can you describe your favorite part of the process in your work?
I really love when things come together in a way that’s different than what I’d planned. Rarely does anything work out exactly the way I thought it would - and it’s usually even better! Knowing that even though it may not be quite what I envisioned, I’m intuitively feeling my way through and it works out just fine in the end.
When you are in the studio, what are you listening to?
If I’m doing production work, my go-to’s are mostly podcasts - of the true crime and small business genre. If I’m more in an experimental stage where I can really play with new ideas, I tend to listen to music more - everything from old blues to classic rock and lots of things from the 90’s and early 00’s!
What is your most treasured handmade possession?
If I had to pick just one I think it would be the Christmas stocking my Popo (grandmother) made me. She made one for all of the kids in our extended family over about a 50 year stretch of time so it's a pretty cool thing to share with my cousins, aunts and uncles. Each stocking is made from multi-piece construction (including an easy-clean liner) with unique images that match the families style. She even left supplies and partially finished stockings for my Mom so that she could continue the tradition for each of us grandkids to have an additional for our own future families.
