My love of the body as form has been a theme of my work through many disciplines in my decades-long path as a creative. A graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in interdisciplinary figurative work, and an in-depth study of the extensive evening gown and jewelry collections at the Chicago Historical Society, profoundly influenced my artistic journey.
My background includes creating a luxury lingerie brand, Toad Lillie, where I utilized couture dressmaking techniques to create three-dimensional sculpture from hand painted and beaded silk. Tucks, pleats, folds, and flounces transformed the fine fabric under my hands into the unique form of the future wearer. This time cemented for me what a privilege it is to create beauty that makes the wearer feel incredible, powerful, sexy.
I bring this feeling of transformation by an intimate object at play with the body to my debut jewelry brand, Unfurl Studio. Returning to my figurative sculpture roots, my current work explores translating the fluidity of fabric into metal. My designs mimic the sensual flow of silk, with molten metal mirroring silk's luster. They also celebrate gestural movement, within the organic form itself, and also in the way pieces sway and dance against the skin.
I hope my art inspires beauty within you and how you see the world. I hope it makes you feel brave and bold and individualistic. I hope it sparks conversations, and connections, with the people in your world. But most of all, I hope it brings you JOY.
xx Laurie