Esther Park | Different From What It Seems 2

Artist: Esther Park, Pennsylvania Materials:  plastic fork and recycle aluminum canSize: 8 Artist Statement: I use a unique methodology to create jewelry by transforming materials that have lost their function and value into new accessory forms. My work goes beyond the mere functionality of accessories by encapsulating the meaning, effort, and time of the creator, surpassing materialistic value. For this project, I collected thrown-away plastic forks from American school cafeterias, as I come from a culture that traditionally uses chopsticks and spoons. I conducted several material studies and manipulated the four prongs of the forks using heat to create various shapes. I also utilized aluminum cans, which are easily accessible in streets and trash bins due to the high consumption of carbonated beverages in the United States. I cast the ring part of the accessory using these cans. Artist Bio: Esther Park graduated with honors in Metal and Fiber Craft from Dankook University which is lo