Adam Kelliher
jewellery designer
Adam Kelliher is a fine arts student who made his way into the program after rediscovering his love for stones. As a kid he collected, then stopped. He has now submerged himself as deep as passionately possible into the lapidary arts and smithing techniques.
He lives in Vancouver, and travels whenever possible to mine and find materials. The rest he purchases as rough stone and cut into the shapes he uses. With a degree in Philosophy and another in Environmental Studies, Sustainability and honesty are of value to him. He will let you know every detail of the piece that he is aware of, and do all he can to practice the craft sustainably. "I started with stone, by joining the BCLS. I'm starting my third year as part of the society, and I have been on numerous rockhounding trips to mine my own stone. I source rough rock from around the world and spend countless hours cutting and polishing it. Stone is what drives my art, and the metalwork I have been taught by the same society has given me a skill that turned my entire living room into a studio. I focus on handmade pieces, unique and one of a kind. The jewelry market is highly competitive, but the craft is consuming me. It's like lego for adults." |
Adam Kelliher
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"Inspiration for many of my works starts with the stone, but I also allow pareidolia (man in the moon/bunny rabbit in clouds) and admirable qualities (Pride/charity/ invincibility) to influence my work. Consider that I can take pictures and recreate them in metal form (comic book characters/ tribal tattoos).
It should also be noted that no glue is ever used in my designs and everything is held by mechanical/ structural force of the metal." |
"Taking pieces of foliage and casting them into metal replicas gives me a whole other reason to appreciate nature. I have been creating jewellery that promotes ecological stewardship through intrinsic iconography.
I recently realized that when I am working in my studio, its not that the rest of the world disappears... of course, I hardly make time to eat I am so enthralled in my work... but its better than that. When I'm working with stone and metal, a whole new world reveals its self. Art feeds my soul, and I've learnt these skills in less than three years, while working and attending school full time. I think it also kept me sane." |
"I take pride in the opportunity to approach the craft from an environmentalist’s perspective, and will always present you with all the information you’d like or need to know about any of the pieces I’ve made.
Along with teaching Silversmithing weekly, I intermittently teach wire wrapping, and provide demonstrations to the public (all volunteer). I am available for consignment work upon request. I can source almost any stone in the world and cut it cabochon style.” |