Kate Cusack
Jackson Heights, New York
Curriculum Vitae
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@instakatecusack
Website
Artist Statement
I create innovative, elegant jewelry from zippers. Because the zipper’s metal teeth are attached to a fabric edge, it is a material that is both rigid and flexible. I enjoy the contrast between the zipper’s harsh metal teeth and the fluid, whimsical shapes that I can create with it. Each piece is stitched together, either by hand or by sewing machine or using a combination of both techniques. In fashion and costume design, the zipper is often looked down upon as a utilitarian fastener and is not seen as a feature. My Zipper Jewelry is made from this seemingly mundane material, which I transform into unique creations. Through my jewelry, I remind viewers about the power of imagination and the joy of discovering a new view of something that would have otherwise been overlooked. There is an exciting “a-ha” moment when someone realizes that there is more to my designs than they initially expected.
Material Revelation Exhibit
Bio
Kate Cusack is a Brooklyn-born artist who makes glamorous jewelry entirely from zippers. Her innovative Zipper Jewelry designs are unique sculptural creations. Kate earned her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her MFA in costume design from the Yale School of Drama. Kate's artistic experiences culminate in the Zipper Jewelry. All of her work relates to the body, combining theatrical influences and her love for the transformation of ordinary materials into pieces of exceptional art. Kate’s Zipper Jewelry has been featured in numerous fashion and design magazines in America and internationally. Her Zipper Jewelry is exhibited in galleries and boutiques across America and is included in many private collections.
Thank you to Hilliard Family Foundation Inc. for sponsoring Material Revelation
