Today’s guest post comes from jewelry artist and Art Bead Scene reader Kaushambi Shah. I thought our readers
would enjoy how Kaushambi took the Art Bead Scene’s inspiration and channeled it into an art exhibit at her workplace.
Art in The Office
10 July to 31 August, 2012
RTKL, Washington DC
Art
in The Office is a monthly event in RTKL’s Washington DC office, where
employee artists are encouraged to curate creative endeavors beyond the
workplace.
Displayed in the chic entry lobby of our 60,000 SF Downtown DC office
space, my exhibit kicked-off with an Artist Talk & Happy Hour.
Inspired
by paintings of some of my favorite artists in my growing years, RTKL’s
encouraging platform, and the Art Bead Scene community’s monthly
challenges, I decided to extend my hobby of handcrafting jewelry towards
10 jewelry pieces themed around 10 paintings of different artists.
While taking cues from the painting style, historical context and color
palette during the design process, I carefully chose beads of
appropriate materials and textures to go with the overall theme. And
amongst this material palette, many are “art beads”- beads handcrafted
by other artists.
At all points in the design process, my primary aim was to capture the
mood and spirit of the painting. And I used different techniques to
enhance each design.
Three out of ten exhibits are hereby shared in more detail.
Click on the images below to read a sampling of Kaushambi’s inspiration for each piece.
Artist Bio: Kaushambi Shah
While work largely involves large scale envisioning and
designing as an Urban Designer, I enjoy conceptualizing and
handcrafting small things at home.
Handcrafting jewelry has been a recent hobby – and bringing together different materials, textures and colors excites me most.
While most of my design themes revolve around things found and
experienced in nature, I also like to draw inspiration from artists who
find their muse in the natural world.
In this series, I have drawn
inspiration from some of my favorite artists—Van Gogh, Monet, Gustav
Klimt, Georgia O’Keeffe, and others.
For more information please contact the artist at [email protected].
peacockfairy
August 22, 2012 at 2:04 pmAmazing! What a great idea!
Spirited Earth
August 22, 2012 at 2:15 pmi love this idea..and the presentation in the office..
the jewelry pieces beautifully represent the spirit of each painting..very inspiring
sandi m
August 22, 2012 at 2:25 pmBeautiful, beautiful display.
Gardanne
August 22, 2012 at 2:27 pmJust beautiful I love the linen display, a simple background is the best way to display jewelry or beads.
TesoriTrovati
August 22, 2012 at 2:28 pmMiss Kaushambi! I am so very impressed by this! First, it must be so wonderful to be working in a place that fosters and supports creative endeavors. Are they hiring? 😉 Second, I love this for many reasons, but mostly because my own first solo exhibit was a similar journey. I was inspired by the artwork of our local artists at the gallery where I present my work in 2010. And third, the way you displayed all of these and showed off the paintings with the descriptions is just perfect. I wish that I could be there in person to see this, but this is the next best thing! Congratulations on your exhibit! Enjoy the day. Erin
Carmela
August 22, 2012 at 2:37 pmThis is such a great idea!
Rising Designs
August 22, 2012 at 2:50 pmI Love this. And I wish i could see more.
Julie
August 22, 2012 at 3:17 pmStunning display! Wish I could see more!
Santho
August 22, 2012 at 3:52 pmLovely work!
Malin de Koning
August 22, 2012 at 4:31 pmLove love love this!!!!!
Well done Kaushambi Shah!
Everything about this exhibition of yours is fantastic. Beautiful art, stunning jewelry, awesome display.
Very very inspiring.
Thanks Heather for sharing.
Kashmira
August 22, 2012 at 4:47 pmWow!!!! How very awesome! Love the idea and the pieces and every thing in here!!!
Cynthia@Ornamental Style
August 22, 2012 at 5:04 pmFantastic idea. Fantastic jewelry. Fantastic execution.
Heidi Post
August 22, 2012 at 5:06 pmCongratulations on the beautifully executed manifestation of such an original and inspiring concept! Brava!
SummersStudio
August 22, 2012 at 5:33 pmFantastic! I truly love this idea and the jewelry is stunning.
Karen Totten
August 22, 2012 at 6:00 pmAbsolutely brilliant!
Sara Oehler
August 22, 2012 at 6:21 pmI love this! Thank you for sharing!
Gale
August 22, 2012 at 7:55 pmI sure wish we had some displays like yours in our college halls (instead of those boring portraits). But then I guess someone would want to wear all that great jewelry… Love how you incorporated elements that are so representative of each painting!
Bobbie
August 22, 2012 at 8:20 pmFabulous work, and the display is so elegantly understated. Truly elevates your pieces to the artistic status they deserve!
Aanal
August 22, 2012 at 9:46 pmThis is such an awesome idea and the jewellery is just gorgeous, especialy "The Tree of Life". Loved that the best. Having you describe what themes you used to inspire these pieces makes it more meaningful. Very well done!!! Aanal
Marie Cramp
August 22, 2012 at 10:07 pmThis is fantastic! More people should do things like that at work! You so perfectly captured each painting, I would really love to see the rest! Maybe a follow up post is in order. Fantastic designs!!
Sandra
August 22, 2012 at 11:16 pmvery cool! thanks for sharing!
Azure Accessories
August 22, 2012 at 11:47 pmWhat an amazing way to display your work…I'm impressed your place of work was willing to support an artist in this manner!!
Your pieces are wonderful interpretations of the art!
Congratulations to you and to the people you work for…
Cheers
Marsha of Marsha Neal Studio
August 23, 2012 at 11:12 amThis is so fantastic!! I love seeing the wonderful jewelry creations displayed like that and with their inspirations. Great idea!
A Half-Baked Notion
August 23, 2012 at 3:18 pmMs. Shah, your employer sounds like a natural fit for such a wonderful initiative. I enjoyed reading about your interpretation of these paintings, particularly O'Keeffe's "Santa Fe Trail": that pendant by Birgitta looks like it was made especially for your creation!
Kristen (Creative Stash)
August 23, 2012 at 11:07 pmThis is so amazing! I love the concept and seeing the 10 pieces lined up. I love that your employer creates this wonderful environment to showcase creative hobbies. Beautiful work!!!
kim Idalski
August 26, 2012 at 11:50 amThis is a wonderful Idea. I never know what to do with my challenge pieces every month. I love them and dont want to sell them. I dont like them sitting and getting dusty. Im going to get canvas and hang mine. Then paint a few little details around them to give some color to the canvas. Thank you for this wonderful inspiring idea. What beauty you have created. Your own museum of beautiful beaded treasures. Happy Creating everyone.
SueBeads
August 27, 2012 at 11:02 amWhat an incredibly impressive person and works of art! I'm in awe!
Becky Pancake
August 30, 2012 at 4:46 pmA very creative display.
Alicia
August 31, 2012 at 12:40 amBeautiful idea – truly inspiring!