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ADAM ATKINSON

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Adam Atkinson (he/they) is a metalsmith, curator, and educator. Their work is informed by the visual lexicon of natural history, childhood memories, and material research. The body acts as the primary site for investigation, resulting in objects of adornment and sculpture. Metalsmithing processes such as repoussé are combined with experimental media in wood, concrete, and fur to produce work exploring the liminality of opposing forces. Atkinson received an MFA in Metal Design at East Carolina University (2019), and a BFA at Boise State University (2013). Their work has been exhibited widely including the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN, and Nagoya Zokei University in Nagoya, Japan. They co-founded Spectral Matter (2019), a biennial exhibition highlighting LGBTQIA+ artists. They have received numerous accolades including the emerging artist residency at the Baltimore Jewelry Center, the Emerging Artist Cohort through the American Craft Council, the Winter Residency at the Museum for Art in Wood, and the three-year residency at Penland School of Craft.
ARTIST STATEMENT
The Shadow Collection is inspired by the limitations of the human body. I begin with a drawing using my non-dominant hand to demonstrate beauty in the imperfect, fragile lines that waver off my pencil marks. The shapes that are generated through this process are translated into metal to create elegant designs in silver and gold. Each piece is designed with an offset shadow element peaking behind frontal planes to produce organic, asymmetrical compositions. This series celebrates an uncanny sense of playfulness through slightly off-kilter, doubled forms meant to catch the eye. All pieces are made with light-weight, textured silver and 22 karat gold bi-metal to both compliment the body and provide comfort for the wearer.