The material’s longevity inspired the Styrofoam Collection. It takes 500 years for the material to begin to degrade. Given its single-use nature and ubiquitous presence in the environment, I aim to repurpose this waste into a functional piece of art.
Since jewelry is often passed down generationally, the relationship between jewelry and time cannot be understated. As an inquisitive artisan, my ultimate goal is to dream of useful objects that transcend time. Within the permanent material of styrofoam, there are multiple uses. I create styrofoam pieces designed to be displayed and worn as “art jewelry,” molding themselves to the shape of the wearer. Although the material remains unchanged, the composition is deliberately bold and simultaneously lightweight to be unnoticeably wearable. The striations and texture are still very much visible to keep the material obvious to the viewer. Styrofoam is a fascinating material that disguises its allure. Modified, it can become a piece of wearable art that lasts for generations.
Artist bio:
Jim Cotter is a metalsmith and object maker who lives and works in the Vail Valley of Colorado. Jim Cotter started designing jewelry in the 1960s, deciding to not only make jewelry —he would create art jewelry. Cotter is known for his playful mindset regarding art and life. His work consists of creating images from various materials not normally associated with jewelry such as steel, concrete, rocks, and sought-after everyday objects.
He is often torn between loyalties to art and craft but has come to the conclusion that the distinction really does not matter and is no longer necessary. Just as one does not buy a painting because of the number of tubes of paint brushed on the canvas, jewelry is not merely the sum of its intrinsic materials. The design and idea embodied in a piece of jewelry captures the energy and makes the statement not the costly materials it is made from. Cotter enjoys the idea of combining disparate materials to assert that jewelry doesn’t have to be precious metal or gemstones and can survive outside the common perceptions of what properly constitutes jewelry.
Cotter's work can be found in the Herman Miller Collection, Korean Craft Museum, McDonald's Corporation and National Ornamental Metal Museum. And was also in selected exhibitions, to mention just a few: The Art of Gold at the Society of North American Goldsmiths and A Modern Bestiary at the Wustum Museum of Fine Art, Racine, Wisconsin. Jim has also held workshops and classes in a multitude of places, including Haystack Mountain School and Anderson Ranch Arts Center
