An installation of cyanotype “statement necklaces” and wearable denim jewelry as metaphors of the ideological heritage passed down to me by Mary Donnelly, my Irish grandmother and namesake who greatly influenced my artistic pursuits, through her ideas and ideological heritage.
Born in 1899, one of 8 children of immigrant parents, Mary left behind extreme, harsh and restrictive Irish customs of the old country and embraced the new, more fluid Americanism. She fought for women’s rights: to vote, for education, economic independence and opportunity. She worked as a riveter in the 40’s, a door-to-door Avon Lady, switchboard operator and started a small business to help build her economic independence.
To give form this ideological heritage, I created “statement” necklaces in denim, a fabric closely associated with the early American worker. Mass produced, uniform denim was deconstructed into art pieces representative of the individual and freedom. Jewelry has been worn by women for political messaging, activism and a display of power throughout history. These “statement” necklaces and blue cyanotype prints of voter rights, rivet gun and equal pay necklaces are symbolic of the ideological heritage passed down to me that have helped shape who I am.