Patricia Daunis Dunning high-tech jewelry art

09.12.2020

45 1 minute read

Patricia Daunis Dunning high-tech jewelry art
Portland, Maine native artist states that the medium conveys the message. A highly skilled jeweler, she expressed herself during the Op-Art period of the 1980s with one-of-a-kind pieces. The wonder is in their construction and a refined expression of mixed metals technique. More specifically, the process of making the optical illusion bracelet, when each piece of metal (18k gold and copper) is individually cut out and soldered together. So, there are hundreds of little pieces there, which went through time-filing, smoothing, sanding, and polishing. As a result, the finished bracelet is smooth to the touch. According to the artist, such bracelet takes three days to create.
Traditionally, her three-dimensional cuffs and earrings (from the 1980s) demonstrate high-tech/high art. Noteworthy, unlike other designers who begin with sketch or drawing, she always starts with metal. “I make sketches in metal. They may be real rough, but that’s how I sketch, rather than taking pen in hand.”

‘Diminishing Returns’ cuff bracelet. Sterling silver, copper. 1982

Patricia Daunis and her husband William Dunning graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design. In the early 1980s they opened Daunis Studio in Portland. They viewed jewelry as “site specific sculpture – a sculptural form that suits the place on the body where it is worn.” The award-winning couple has permanently exhibited their creations in various art museums, fine jewelry stores and fine galleries nationally. Featured in numerous magazines, she has published lots of articles on jewelry art. Besides, she has taught at Boston University and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.