Cristol Johnson
Napalm Cuff, Sterling Silver Bracelet
Artist Statement
Attempting to recreate a successful piece made in the past, the Napalm cuff exploded when heated up. The hole was in an awkward place. The artist remembers getting upset at first, then after tossing the piece of silver aside for a few years, returned to it. Why couldn’t the hole happen in the center of the bracelet? She decided to heat it up again. No more explosions. Broken chain was placed over the blast hole and rimmed along the edge. It was determined that the since the metal was questionable, the best method would be to fuse the chain (fusing is gently melting the entire piece so that the surface layer bonds).
The lesson here is that during art mediumship, avoid getting upset with outcomes, or assuming failure prematurely. The bracelet was attempting to enter the world the way it wanted to… and it is the artist’s job to be of assistance. The dance between art and science is a complicated one. Sometimes one must discover the circumstances, situations and outcomes (science), and make adjustments. Sometimes one must simply enjoy the end result or what occurs (art).
The lesson here is that during art mediumship, avoid getting upset with outcomes, or assuming failure prematurely. The bracelet was attempting to enter the world the way it wanted to… and it is the artist’s job to be of assistance. The dance between art and science is a complicated one. Sometimes one must discover the circumstances, situations and outcomes (science), and make adjustments. Sometimes one must simply enjoy the end result or what occurs (art).
Cristol Johnson has been creating silver jewelry since graduating from the last Metalsmith class at the University of Delaware. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree, and has studied at Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, New Jersey. Her favorite techniques are wire twisting with beads and pearls, anodizing, and casting with lost wax and sand. As an artist she has learned to let the pieces be birthed and evolve on their own, rather than start with a plan. She enjoys the dance between art and science, and has spent most of her time during the pandemic experimenting with sand casting.