As a jewellery artist/maker, Lucy Davis’ practice uses jewellery as a site for conceptual inquiry, exploring how materials can embody and communicate social narratives. Her recent work focuses on transforming glass into weapon-like forms and wearable objects that occupy the space between adornment and defence.
Current Obsession: Could you tell us the story behind your graduation project and what drew you to the subject?
Lucy Davis: My collection explores women’s anger and how it is socially expected to be contained, softened or disguised. Throughout my time at university, my conceptual drive has always been quite political, specifically regarding women and gender roles. Through consuming research and continuously being exposed to news headlines and articles regarding violence against women, I wanted to encapsulate the anger so many other women and I feel towards the increase of misogyny, violence and femicide through jewellery. Riot Grrrls, a feminist punk movement in the 1990s, became the driving inspiration for how rage can become a powerful political tool. This, alongside the material narrative of broken glass, helped me navigate how my collection could communicate the balancing act of femininity, fragility, anger and violence.
CO: Beyond the gallery, where do you see your work taking root and finding its life? Who do you hope to reach with your work?
LD: My intention is always meaning; the most rewarding part about art is being able to read and decode it. So, beyond the gallery, I hope my work exists in spaces where people can engage with it more deeply to encourage dialogue and challenge assumptions. If a viewer leaves with new questions or a deeper understanding of their own relationship to themes of resistance and feminism, then it has found its life beyond the gallery.
CO: What’s your favourite studio ritual?
LD: Music, Music, Music! I find it impossible to work without my headphones, especially in a loud and busy workshop. My taste in music this year has definitely been closely related to my collection. I’ve been listening to a lot of Sonic Youth; Kim Gordon’s raw emotion and refusal to conform definitely helped me carry my project right through to the final collection. Also listening to Rihanna, especially her song ‘Breaking Dishes’, as it became a sort of theme song to my collection haha!
