Sarah C Chapman



Sarah C Chapman

About The Artist

Sarah Chapman • Minneapolis , MN
Jewelry • WHOLESALE AVAILABLE • CUSTOM COMMISSIONS

The objects I make are inspired by architecture, by nature as architect, and by my desire to explore how complex structures can grow from a simple idea. My current work explores architecture through the elegant forms of ancient sea vessels and through the colorful shapes of deep-sea creatures. I approach jewelry design and fabrication with a sense of curiosity, as I use form, texture, and color to find an aesthetic balance between the industrial and natural worlds.



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Q&A with the Artist

Tell us how your work is made.

Each of my pieces is constructed by hand, generally beginning with sheet and wire. Often I work on a large group of jewelry pieces at the same time, so that I can easily switch between different designs depending on my flow of energy and focus. One of my favorite techniques involves designing and hand-cutting my own dies and then forming metal from sheet using a hydraulic press. I use the resulting volumetric layers as focal elements in my jewelry designs.


What makes you passionate about the medium you work with?

I love the deep amount of science and knowledge that I can explore within the metal and jewelry field. Although I appreciate the historical and continuing role of jewelry as an expression of culture, status, social critique, and spiritual aid, it is the abundance of technical processes that continues to draw me in. I’ve been working with metal for almost thirty years and there is always so much more to learn!

What is something unique about you or your practice?

I am constantly sketching on any scrap of paper that I can find! I’ve found that the function of drawing in my work has changed over time though. Initially, drawings were a way to organize and map the steps needed to build and fabricate a piece, but now my sketches are more of a tool to record my thoughts and new ideas. Because I sometimes have difficulty shutting down the flow of ideas while working, doing a quick drawing of those ideas can help me return my focus to the work at hand.