THE TIES THAT BIND US

This series of sculptural chains is inspired by the rich and complex theme of family - whether hereditary or chosen -and the ties that bind these same individuals. With this series, I aim to offer a conceptual reflection on our social ties and filiations, and on the shifting nature of relationships within a group. These pieces are geometric metaphors that deal with connection, belonging, heritage and transformation.

A woman artist installing a wooden chain on a white gallery wall.

The wooden links are made out of maple, walnut and cherry wood, all sourced following circularity practices. The variety of link shapes and wood species within the sculptural chains aim to represent the group’s energy, and the dynamics that can emerge in relation to a whole. The diversity of forms and wood tones are intended to emphasize the individuality of each member participating in the family chain. The way the links connect to each other - sometimes smoothly, sometimes awkwardly - alludes to the particular affinities that can develop within a group.

Some pieces are made up of modular sections that can be joined in many different ways or worn separately. Through these variable conformations, I’m interested in the potential to repair broken links and to create new connections among the same chain.

This project originated as part of a group exhibition I participated alongside several members of my Lamarre family at Galerie Espace in Montreal (June 2022). Family of twenty-eight (above left and center) was inspired by my own birth family and by the unique individuals that make up my kinship. This piece became the starting point for the whole series.

The series has then been shown at Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h as part of NYC Jewelry Week (November 2022), at Espace Loulou in Montreal (May 2023) and as part of Révélations biennale de métiers d’art in Paris (June 2023).

At the intersection between contemporary jewelry and wall art, these pieces are intended to be worn as statement necklaces as much as to be displayed on the wall as objects of expression or meditation. Thus they all come with a wall mounting that serves both as a storing and a displaying system.

Available pieces from this series can be found here.

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WINDING WAYS