Charles Pinckney is a self-taught artist who lives and works in Athens, Georgia. He makes jewelry and sculpture from natural materials like metal, stone, bone and wood. His work is inspired by stories of his childhood, resistance to injustice and tales of family, hardship and joy. Pinckney calls his work “wearable sculpture” because he wants it to help people remember lived experiences wherever they go. Take a look at some of Pinckney’s wearable sculptures. What do you notice? What do they remind you of?
Pinckney arranges the basic elements in the work of art until they feel balanced and exciting. He uses raw materials to expose the “latent” or unrealized art of each element. Take a look around you. What might be art if you looked at it differently? Can you find art hiding in everyday objects around you?
In this activity, you’ll create a wearable sculpture using found objects.
For this activity you will need:
- small rocks, stones or other natural elements
- wire
- yarn or string
- beads
- scissors
To make your wearable sculpture:
- Head outside and collect a few small rocks, pieces of wood or other natural objects that feel meaningful to you. Look around for things with underlying artistic elements. They can be objects that remind you of a memory or feeling, or they can look beautiful or unexpected.
- Cut a few pieces of string or yarn to the length you want for your wearable sculpture. Braid or twist the string together. Do you want to add beads? How many colors will you combine?
- Wrap the natural elements in wire. Make sure to wrap them snugly so that they don’t slip out!
- Add beads or other decorations to the wire. Then weave and wrap the wire on the string. Make sure the wire is secure.
- Tie the string on as a necklace or bracelet and check out your wearable sculpture! How does it feel to know that you’re wearing art?