Niches

4.1 x 2.1 x 1 cm

copper, silver, cubic zirconia, nylon thread

These earrings were made to embody the idea of the niche. This word is layered in meaning and can be used in many ways. It can mean finding one's identity or a resting place within the vastness of existence, or a term for biological placement. It represents a unique recess or space that is found within a larger context. The earrings are made with two small vessels, the top to symbolize finding one's niche, represented through a gem set placed in the middle with threads around the body to represent a linear process of discovering a perfect placement. The second is another circular vessel with layers of walls that come to a black opening which represents the opposite: that the more layers you uncover, the more unknown your placement or niche will become. The two vessels hanging together are meant to give one perspective on the pursuit of their niche and to admire the beauty in the process of discovery as well as having already discovered it. This pair of earrings are made from copper sheet, silver wire, silver tube, and two cubic zirconia, patinated with liver of sulfur and a nylon thread detail. For the bottom vessel, the dapping block was used to create the base form, holes were sawed from the domes, and then layered on top of each other to make the multidimensional effect. The top form was done using the same technique, but without layering and with drill holes surrounding the main hole. The domes were soldered together as well as the earring post and tube setting, the two forms were then joined with rivets. Finally, the work was patinated, the gem set, and the piece threaded

Anna Bell Woodbury is currently 22 years old, and a fourth-year student attending OCADU for Material Arts and Design set to graduate at the end of this winter term. She has been practicing metalsmithing for the past four years and has been selling ready-made and commission pieces. She was cultivating an art practice in textiles and digital media before her time at OCADU which has conceptually and aesthetically informed her metalwork. She has won two awards for her work from the annual Canadian Student Silversmithing Exhibition, a juried travelling show of student work from NSCADU, OCADU, and NBCCD.The first was the Honorable Mention for the Lois Etherington Betteridge Award in 2023 for her piece “Nest for a Friend”. The second was the Four Hundred Dollar Award sponsored by the Silver Society of Canada in 2024 for her piece “Pod Dancer”. Woodbury’s intent as an artist is to create visually striking metal work through form and color, inspiring the viewer to contemplate the value of beauty and what it takes to achieve it. She wants her work to help the viewer understand the value of putting creative energy and care into the world around them, whether that be their own creative work or placing that energy into the practical aspects of their life.