ABOUT THE ARTIST

Joan Parcher’s fascination with jewelry began early and simply. She discovered wire cutters and wire. At age four, she fabricated her first piece of jewelry. In time, she graduated to junk metal and a hammer.

Joan remembers the lessons of those early experiences. She remains keenly aware of the characteristics of her materials. In fact, it is the nature of materials that most interests her. The materials themselves play a crucial role in her designs and decisions.

She will tell you that her design comes slowly. An idea can predate a design by many, many years and during this time, the material that inspired it might sit dormant. Trial and error is her method. Myriad drawings are produced as her design ideas evolve and problems resolve.

Joan’s work has been featured in many of the country’s most respected jewelry and craft periodicals, including Metalsmith, Ornament and American Craft.

ABOUT THE WORK

Her design elements are simple: circles and other geometric shapes, bold color, opposites. The execution of each design elevates its basic simplicity to something more complex.

Her enamel pieces are color studies. Joan uses vitreous enamel, fired at 1400 degrees. Some of these enamels are imported from England and japan. She uses American enamels as well, some so old as to be considered vintage. One day those colors will be gone.

The enamel is resilient and will tolerate reasonable ear. Rarely is work returned to Joan for repair but when necessary, it can usually be done.

EXHIBITS

2006 “Loot,” group exhibition, Museum of Art and Design, New York, NY
2005 “Brooching the Subject,” group exhibition, Patina Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
Cooper-Hewitt Museum, New York, NY
Detroit Museum of Art, Detroit, MI
Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC