flickr friday - rewarestyle

Lionize II
From the Patent Pending Collection, collar 2006
artist: emiko oye
recycled plastic & acetate, sterling & fine silver, 18k gold,
synthetic ruby corundum and cubic zirconias set in 14k gold
14.5”L x 4”H x 2.25”D




emiko-o lego bracelets made from lego, sterling silver rod, citrine set in 14k gold, rubber cord.

i can't really pick a few favorite images from emiko oye. and i am definitely on board with her mission.

Inspired by hardware, haute couture, and salvaged materials, emiko oye creates one-of-a-kind urban jewelry and sculptures from recycled materials and precious metals. Her works strive to subtly transform the identity of everyday mundane objects to inspire new dialogs about our relationship with the environment. emiko-o was launched to raise public awareness that jewelry IS Art.

“The mistake everyone makes is in thinking that jewelry is art and it ISN’T.” buyer, NYC showroom, 8/99
Our culture blindly compartmentalizes jewelry by its price tag: higher prices=Art; lower prices=Fashion Trend. Mind-expanding objects (i.e. art) are not immediately profitable, and are therefore not as accessible to the public. Rather, profit margin and mass appeal validates “quality” design as do brand names, Hollywood, and © or patent marks. Individualist thinking is discouraged—we are programmed to only buy into what is “hot this season”.

since my personal preference is for art over jewelry, and non-traditional materials over traditional (plain gold and diamonds - yuck!), you can see why i really love emiko's work. from her serious pieces that make statements about the world we live in, to the lego jewelry that makes me feel like a child again, i love what she's done, and i can't wait to see where she's going.

check out rewarestyle on etsy, or on flickr. i promise you'll smile, too.

want to be on flickr friday? go to my flickr page and mark me as a contact, and you may be chosen for an upcoming feature!