John Iversen presents Nature bejeweled. Leaves and flowers are central motifs of this artist’s pieces and through a sparing application of stones, usually tiny diamonds, he embellishes his muse with a light touch. Iversen’s highly realistic leaf brooches in 18k gold, silver, bronze and iron are, in fact, castings from real leaves. Visible in the texture is the veining and crackle of the original’s surface.
Though diamonds have an honored place in Iversen’s works, pearls and opaque stones like coral, lapis and chrysoprase are also used. The twig-like branches featured in his Bonzai group are brightened by the touches of color these stones lend. The roughened surface found on the twigs and stems creates a textural counterpoint to the sheen of the colorful stones he combines.
Iversen’s work derives from the elegance of Nature’s flora. Vesery’s draws more from the animal realm. His carved wood pieces echo Nature’s nuance, too, but with a twist. Two eggs, resting in the large nest platter, are carved with an intricate overlay of feathers. At first glance, the featherd eggs make sense; There is logic in the juxtaposition of feathers and eggs. Then we remember, eggs do not have feathers.
His delicate carvings of tiny sea shells are as small as actual shells and so precisely done that they might be mistaken for the real thing. But in another surreal twist, he creates in their surfaces the texture of tree bark or leaves. Carved using a pyrograph, these finely incised bark and leaf textures toy with our senses and expectations of what is real. All seem sensible enough until reason reminds us that eggs are not feathered and that seashells have no bark.
Iversen’s pieces are distinguished by their delicacy. So, too, are Vesery’s carved wood pieces. It is a delicacy that approaches reverence. One senses a deep love for his subjects, and a wry spirit that delights in toying with them. |
