Renee Holliday
Waxhaw, North Carolina
Curriculum Vitae
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@reneehollidayjewelry
Artist Statement
Experimentation and play are at the center of this body of work. Tangrams, Perler Beads, and the ever-lowly string are a few of the items that aid in a child’s development. The brightly colored toys and tools of learning serve to elicit wonder, exploration, and growth. Under the innocence of youth, we are encouraged to make mistakes and play, however, during the transition into adulthood it often takes a back seat to responsibility and societal expectations. In choosing these materials, not only do I seek to question the value of the traditional gold and silver as materials for jewelry, but I also seek to reconnect with play as an adult through colorful, fun, and exuberant objects. Things treasured as a child embrace a new significance when worn as an adult. My hope is that the wearer is reconnected to a younger, more innocent version of themselves.
Material Revelation Exhibit
Bio
North Carolina artist Renee Holliday uses feminist thought and action to create jewelry, sculpture, and textile works. Utilizing traditional metalsmithing skills, Renee repurposes discarded objects in the creation of her jewelry and other artworks. Gathering her materials from thrift shops and secondhand stores allows her to honor her working-class background and inherited resourcefulness while gleaning other’s unwanted possessions. While this act is ultimately meant to keep items out of the landfill, it also creates a more meaningful connection to the materials used and questions the concept of preciousness and access. Renee's work has been shown regionally throughout North and South Carolina and at the Fuller Projects in Bloomington, Indiana.
Thank you to Hilliard Family Foundation Inc. for sponsoring Material Revelation
