THERESA DUONG ARTS

THE RESA DUO NG ARTS

ABOUT ME

I am a Toronto-based artist and designer who graduated from OCAD University in 2012. My major is in jewellery and metal arts but I also enjoy experimenting with alternative materials, combining them with traditional techniques to achieve innovative ideas. I have participated in a wide range of exhibitions and have received scholarships and awards through OCAD University, Ontario Crafts Council, Harbourfront Centre, and the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. My work often challenges the concept of wearable art using unconventional materials and displaced forms to stimulate a visual dialogue with the human figure. This dialogue is only a preamble, an encouragement, to imagine the unseen; to hope for something that is not immediately tangible. My desire is for the interaction and revealing of the compartments of these objects to delight the wearer like how I enjoyed the process of creating them.

THERESA DUONG

T DA CONTENTS

008 / JEWELLERY 042 / BOOK 062 / FIBRE 0 74 / C O L L E C T I O N S 104 / BOUND

SECTION ONE

JEW ELL ERY

0 1 0 / Dead Ends 014 018 / Illuminate / Prayer Pretzels 0 2 2 / The Princess + The Pea Wedding Gift 0 2 6 / Sucker 0 3 0 / R.I.P. Yellow Fellow + Bird Maki 0 3 4 / Constructivist Skeletal Turtle 0 0 5 / Revolutionized Stomacher

T DA JEWELLERY / 010

DE A D E N DS

These cast ear buds are a social commentary on the negative impact of the rise of iPods and mp3 players that cause severe hearing damage. The relief on the ear buds is the symbol for low volume. Earrings can be worn hanging from the piercing and also plugged into the ear. 2 x 1 x 1 cm Sterling silver, liver of sulphur.

T DA JEWELLERY / 012

T DA JEWELLERY / 014

IL LU M I N AT E

This necklace was inspired by William Morris philosophy that books should be a pleasure to look at as arrangements of type that creates visual harmony. I used his nature motif characteristic of the Arts and Crafts movement to embellish and illuminate the Bible verse from Philippians 4:13 inlaid on the pendant. 20 x 2 x 4 cm Sterling silver, copper, silver solder.

T DA JEWELLERY / 016

T DA JEWELLERY / 018

PR AY E R PR E TZ E L S

In 610 AD, pretzels were baked from leftover dough, twisted to illustrate two hands coming together in prayer. They were called little rewards given to children for memorizing Bible verses. The cubic zirconia in the forged earrings represent falling salt from the surface of the seasoned snack to reveal the history and meaning behind the form of the pretzel. 2 x 5 x 1 cm each Sterling silver, cubic zirconia.

T DA JEWELLERY / 020

T DA JEWELLERY / 022

TH E P R I N C E SS + T H E P E A S WEDDING GIFT

This piece is an extension of the fairytale, The Princess and the Pea written by Hans Christian Andersen. The story ends with the pea confirming that she is a real princess. These earrings are made for her wedding: a pea pod with one pea missing which is encased like a highly prized pearl in the corresponding earring. Pea pod: 5 x 1 x 1 cm Container: 1 x 1 x 1 cm Sterling silver, copper, Prismacolour, liver of sulphur.

T DA JEWELLERY / 024

T DA JEWELLERY / 026

SU C K E R

We never really grow up. Abandoning your childhood is like unwillingly removing a pacifier, all we want to do is replace it by sucking on our thumb. This piece is reminiscent of what was, the moment when you feel like youre growing up too fast. Made from my childhood pillow case and plastic toy pacifier. The thumb cast is of a 2 year-old named Emily. 3 x 3 x 2 cm Sterling silver, fine silver, dragon skin, plastic, baby pillow, plastic toy pacifier, liver of sulphur.

T DA JEWELLERY / 028

T DA JEWELLERY / 030

R. I . P. YE L LOW F E L LOW + BIRD MAKI

This is a response project from my research on the jeweller, Felieke van der Leest. My goal was to capture the playful aesthetic of her work by remodeling plastic animals and redressing them using fibre and metalsmithing techniques. These birds are a commentary on the rising environmental issue of building collisions being the top human causes of bird fatality. Display: 12 x 17 x 7 cm Bird: 10 x 2 x 2 cm each Sterling silver, sapphires, fibre, found objects.

T DA JEWELLERY / 032

T DA JEWELLERY / 034

CO N ST R U C T I V I ST SK E L E TA L TU RT L E

This choker, is a depletion-gilded* silver rendition of a skeletal turtle retaining its strong structural qualities. It intends to echo the constructivist Naum Gabos approach to defining space with planar forms. On the reverse is a more decayed design providing a passage for the suede band.
* The process of filtering out a thin layer of fine pure silver using acid to remove the copper out of the base metal alloy.

4 x 5 x 2 cm Sterling silver, suede.

T DA JEWELLERY / 036

T DA JEWELLERY / 038

RE VO LU T I O N I Z E D STO M AC H E R

A stomacher is a decorative piece of womens garment popular from the 15th and 16th century in Europe. It is characterized by a triangular panel that is traditionally worn over the chest and stitched over a gown or bodice. Inspired by this fashion icon, I challenged the aesthetic and traditional form using the contemporary process of rapid prototyping: laser cut, laser engrave, and CNC milling. This low-hanging pendant design also functions as a picture frame to insert various images to resemble the flexibility of an actual stomacher that can be removed and replaced for an altered ensemble. 12 x 20 x 2 Acrylic, birch wood.

T DA JEWELLERY / 040

SECTION TWO

BO OK
0 4 4 / Portable Book Rings 0 4 8 / Pulse 0 5 0 / Stairway to Heaven 0 5 4 / Encyclopedia of Pendants 0 5 8 / Exodus 35: 3115

T DA BOOK / 044

PO RTA B L E BO O K R I N G S

To always carry around a sketchbook is a common lifestyle for an artist to take note of spurof-the-moment ideas. This concept developed into a book ring that can be worn in various ways. The pages are laser-cut and copticbound combining both traditional and advanced technology in one piece. 2 x 2 x 3 cm Walnut and ash wood, linseed oil, waxed linen, handmade paper, vellum.

T DA BOOK / 046

T DA BOOK / 048

PU L S E

The objective was to produce an innovative book using the coptic bookbinding method. I made a wearable wristlet, to represent pulse rates and the electrocardiogram screen. The books that make up the wristlet are held together using snap buttons with pages made from film negatives to demonstrate history and memories associated with life. 12 x 20 x 2 cm Film negatives, waxed embroidery floss, acetate, ink, snap buttons, ribbon.

T DA BOOK / 050

STA I RWAY TO H E AV E N

Stairway to Heaven from The Vatican Museum was the inspiration of this accordion-folded piece. A decorative graphite pattern was transferred on tracing paper to mimic the detailed railing of the stairway. The reflective and translucent quality of the materials captures the luminosity of the place. When worn, it questions the relationship between body and space. 25 x 50 x 7 cm Acetate, tracing paper, graphite, tissue paper, cotton thread.

T DA BOOK / 052

T DA BOOK / 054

EN CYC LO P E D I A OF P E N DA N TS

Wear them all at once! This long stitch bound book pendant encourages the wearer to draw multiple jewellery designs inside to eliminate the decision-making process of which necklace to wear. It is fastened with a button and embellished with kumihimo Japanese braid in sterling silver wire. 3 x 5 x 1 cm Nickel, sterling silver wire, sterling silver chain, canvas, mylar, aluminum foil, found object.

T DA BOOK / 056

T DA BOOK / 058

E XO D U S 3 5 : 3 1 1 5

he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft 10 x 10 x 8 cm Scroll (belt): cotton and polyester fabrics, heat transfer, elastic, embroidery thread, found object Box: mulberry paper with ink, polyester fabric.

T DA BOOK / 060

SECTION THREE

FI BRE
0 6 4 / Fever 0 6 8 / Mind Games 0 7 2 / Panty Rings

T DA FIBRE / 064

FE V E R

Inspired by Alphonse Muchas illustrations, this matching necklace and headpiece indicates the stages of a fever using the body as landmarks - throbbing head and the heat traveling down the throat. A needle-felted salamander sits on the head because legend says that they conquer fire. Beaded feverfews suggests healing - a herb that is commonly used in tea for fevers. Headpiece: 15 x 18 x 10 cm Neckpiece: 45 x 7 x 1 cm Wool, plastic beads, found objects.

T DA FIBRE / 066

T DA FIBRE / 068

MI N D G A M E S

Mind Games is a series of layered mixed media wall installations made with newsprint sudoku and crossword puzzles transferred on canvas. This forms the base for a structured pattern with paint and handembroidered details. 10 x 10 x 4cm each Acrylic paint, sudoku, crossword puzzles, and embroidery thread on canvas.

T DA FIBRE / 070

T DA FIBRE / 072

PA N T Y R I N G S

To wear jewellery is a method of clothing the body. These whimsical panty rings explore the unconventional placement for wearable garments where rings and panties commingle. They are hand-sewn in stretchable fabrics and elastic threads and fit all finger sizes. 3 x 2 x cm each Assorted fabrics, elastic, ribbon, lace.

SECTION FOUR

COL LECT IONS

0 7 6 / Snow White With a Hint of Colour 0 8 6 / Okta 0 8 8 / Eyry 0 9 8 / Pretzel 1 0 0 / Curlicue

T DA COLLECTIONS / 076

SHOULDERBRACE

42 x 25 x 10 cm

SN OW W H I T E WITH A HINT OF CO LO U R

This collection was developed by translating the free-flowing quality of silk by retaining its shape through sizing and paper lamination. These individual modules are made in various sizes and arranged to create wearable sculptures with sterling silver and ribbon supports. Inspired by white bridal palettes and damask woven fabrics, patterned white poly chiffon fabric is used layered with paper and a coloured silk underside giving the piece a complementary hint of colour.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 078

SHOULDERBRACE

HEADBAND

NECKLACE

42 x 25 x 10 cm Top left

4 x 100 x 3 cm Bottom left

5 x 10 x 1 cm Right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 080

WRIST CUFF

NECK COLLAR

12 x 7 x 6 cm Top left

12 x 20 x 3 cm Bottom left

T DA COLLECTIONS / 082

WA I S T S A S H

RING

HAIR PIECE

20 x 17 x 5 cm Top left

5 x 4 x 5 cm Top right

12 x 12 x 5 cm Bottom right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 084

BRACELET

EAR CLIPS

12 x 7 x 6 cm Top right

4 x 3 x 1 cm each Bottom right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 086

NECKLACE

RINGS

BANGLE

EARRINGS

5 x cm Left

Sizes vary Top right

6 x 5 x cm Top right

5 x x 2 cm Bottom right

OKTA

Okta is a word of German origin meaning eight. This collection is made from eight strands of sterling silver wire and connected with tubing to create a sleek aeasthetic with some braided detail.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 088

EY RY

Inspired by the Beijing Olympic Birds Nest Stadium. Eyry is a nest where birds lay their eggs and hatch their young. Using geometic shapes and a triangular module component, this line of jewellery is expanded to be worn by both men and women. Made with a range from casual everyday-wear studs to fancy cufflinks to jazz up an outfit for a special occasion. Sterling silver, freshwater pearl; patinated

T DA COLLECTIONS / 090

3MODULE NECK COLLAR

K N O T FA S T E N E R

7 x 16 x 1 cm Left

4 x 4 x 1 cm Right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 092

K N O T FA S T E N E R

4 x 4 x 1 cm

T DA COLLECTIONS / 094

2MODULE NECK COLLAR

1MODULE NECK COLLAR

7 x 20 x 1 cm Left

7 x 16 x 1 cm Right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 096

LAPEL PIN

DROP STUDS

NESTED STUDS

M AT T E S T U D S

2 x 2 x 1 cm Top left

4 x 2 x cm each Bottom left

2 x 2 x 1 cm each Top right

1 x 1 x 1 cm Bottom right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 098

EARRINGS

4 x 1 x 2 cm Top left

4MODULE NECKLACE

NECKLACES

7 x 16 x 1 cm Bottom left

Sizes vary Right

PR E TZ E L

These pretzels are made by braiding sterling silver wire and twisted to create an organic form that ties into a knot shape like the dough snack. Much like the unpredictable forms of pretzels, not two of them are identical. Stone settings are added sporadically including sapphires, cubic zirconia, and aqua.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 100

NECKLACES

Sizes vary

CU R L I C U E

Curlicue combines various twists to achieve a playful pigtail collection in sterling silver and freshwater pearl accents.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 102

C U R LY S T U D S

RINGS

EARRINGS

2 x 1 x 1 cm Left

Sizes vary Left

1 x 1 x cm Right

SECTION FIVE

BOUND
BOUND is a body of work that uses the format

of a book to tell a metaphor. Books provide sequence, structure, and order and they hold and mend together fragmented pieces and brings it to completion. By recreating, repurposing, and repositioning the book form, I am emphasizing that the binding holds everything together and that each of these parts, like humans, placed in the context of the body, are created for a purpose fitting into their ordained place of perfect design.
1 06 1 10 114 / The Stones of Florence [Hold Together] / The Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia / The Older the [E]Book, The Better It Smells

T DA COLLECTIONS / 106

TH E STO N E S O F FLO R E N C E [ H O L D TO G E T H E R ]

This shoulder adornment is constructed with book signatures pieced together from images of architecture and mathematically structured sculptures to recreate an exaggerated curved-spine book. The undulating curves resemble a rib-vault ceiling. The piece is Coptic-bound, with an exposed spine putting emphasis on the form and how it holds fragmented pieces together. 58 x 18 x 14 cm Stainless steel, maruju white paper, waxed linen, cotton, The Stones of Florence by Mary McCarthy.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 108

T DA COLLECTIONS / 110

TH E B O O K O F KN OW L E D G E EN CYC LO P E D I A

Repurposed from discarded books, this wall installation conveys the message of sequence and order. It is difficult to understand something on its own when it is merely a fragment, but upon viewing it contextually and collectively, brings all the components into completion. Likewise, when things are experienced in the present it may not be immediately understood, but perhaps later, in hindsight, stepping back to give it more perspective. The segments are folded in a structured pattern utilizing the mathematics of origami and paper folding. 214 x 152 x 6 cm The Book of Knowledge Vol. 1-8, bookbinding glue, finishing nails.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 112

T DA COLLECTIONS / 114

TH E O L D E R T H E [E ] B O O K , T H E BE T T E R I T S M E L L S

I repurposed the pattern of the wall installation formation into wearable jewellery as an extension of the body. Like The Book of Knowledge Encyclopedia, the pages of these miniature books are folded the same way, the ratios stay the same but the materials and size are altered. I have taken text from eBooks and printed them onto various architectural drafting papers and vellums. The content of the text is a discussion about electronic sources replacing the analog book. Some articles include e-Reading and e-Responding: New Tools for the Next Generation of Readers by Lotta C. Larson, and Bring on the Books for Everybody: How Literary Culture Became Popular Culture by Jim Collins.

T DA COLLECTIONS / 116

OPEN BOOK EARRINGS

SWING STUD EARRINGS

4 x 4 x 1 cm each Left + top right

4 x 5 x 1 cm each Bottom right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 118

SMALL STUDS

HOOK EARRINGS

NECKLACE

SMALL NECKLACE

1 x x 1 cm each Top left

5 x 3 x 1 cm each Bottom left

39 x 4 x 1 cm Top right

24 x 1 x 1 cm Bottom right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 120

LOOP NECKLACE

3-DROP NECKLACE

46 x 1 x 1 cm Left

31 x 4 x 1 cm Right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 122

2-RING CHAINED

OPEN BOOK RING

10 x 3 x 3 cm Left

3 x 2 x 1 cm Right

T DA COLLECTIONS / 124

SMALL RING

CHARM BRACELET

BANGLET

2 x 2 x 1 cm Top left

18 x 2 x 1 cm Bottom left

6 x 5 x 4 cm Right

CON TRI BUT ERS

PHOTOGRAPHY / Jeff Bergen PHOTOGRAPHY / Michelle Liando PHOTOGRAPHY / Nicholas Kalimin PHOTOGRAPHY / Daniel Kim PHOTOGRAPHY / Sam Sadaghiani MODEL / Jocelyn Maria Kaldeway MODEL / Sam Sadaghiani MODEL / Anna Zamurujeva

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