Maenad

Titanium

SSSSS


My work explores the motif of the snake as a potent symbol of feminine power, drawing on historical and mythological representations of serpents associated with wisdom, transformation, and domination. Snakes have long been connected to figures like Medusa, a feared yet powerful woman, and Lilith, the rebellious first woman in Jewish mythology. Both embody independence and defiance against patriarchal control.

In witchcraft, snakes are revered for their ability to shed their skin, symbolizing renewal and resilience—traits often associated with the feminine spirit. Historically, women branded as witches were feared for their knowledge and strength, much like the snake, whose fluid, unpredictable movements evoke both danger and allure.

Through these themes, I seek to reclaim the snake as an emblem of empowerment, dominance, and transformative force in the face of oppression, celebrating the serpent's dual nature of beauty and danger, often mirrored in the experience of powerful women throughout history.

Artist bio:
Kerianne Quick is a Southern Californian, craftsperson, and Associate Professor of Jewelry and Metalwork at San Diego State University. Quick received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Applied Design from SDSU, Master of Fine Arts in Metal from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and worked as a research assistant for Dutch designer Gijs Bakker in Amsterdam. Highlights from their exhibition record include the Museum of Art and Design (NYC), Museo Franz Mayer (CDMX), the National Museum for Women in the Arts (D.C.), Salon del Mobile (Milan), and Design Week Amsterdam. Quick’s work is included in the collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the Netherlands Design Museum (Stedelijk). Quick’s research is rooted in exploring craft as cultural phenomena, with an emphasis on material specificity, and personal adornment. They have received numerous grants including a Kinley Fellowship and several University Project Grants. Quick co-founded and edits the zine/journal CRAFT DESERT with professor Adam John Manley (SDSU), does curatorial projects as Secret Identity Projects with professor Jess Tolbert (UTEP), and is the co-author of the (Affective) Craft Manifesto.