About the Item

Techno-Constructivist Ring

2024

Silver, micarta, black onyx

"Micarta is a cellulose based plastic in the same category as Bakelite, which was invented here in the US by chemist Leo Baekeland from Belgium in 1907. Westinghouse used that same formulae to make micarta as the first substrate for printed circuit boards in the 1940's.

Later, in the 1950's it was adopted by the American flatware industry as a substitute for Ivory utensil handles, and later still, by the American artisanal knife making cohort for the same purpose. But, eventually, complaints arose around this material in the 1980s because it oxidized and turned a darker color. So, it was reformulated so that it did not age.

The new version was just not the same as that I had been using, so at this point I went to every knife making supply house in the country and bought up all of the remaining older version of the material I could find, and it was a lot! Micarta became a proprietary material for me. It carves beautifully, and machines spectacularly. I believe it adds an historical context to the work. And it still ages beautifully."

Ring Size: 7.5
1.5" x 1.5"

Note: Ring is signed and sizable.

About the Artist

Thomas Mann has been professional self-employed artist for 57 years. He describes himself as a sculptor working in the medium of jewelry where he is best known for his Techno-Romantic Jewelry Objects™.He has been an active participant in the contemporary American craft movement for the past fifty-two years as an artist, gallery owner, author, lecturer, and workshop teacher.

Over the past 10 years, he has moved away from his signature Techno-Romantic design system towards a new jewelry vocabulary he calls Techno-Natura™ He has also begun a re-entry into painting which he studied at university as a Performing Arts major with a focus on set design and lighting. He recently had his first solo painting show with Sullivan Gallery in New Orleans.

You can check out what Tom is up to by visiting www.thomasmann.com. If you are in New Orleans, please stop by for visit and a tour of the studios. 500 Napoleon Ave at the corner of Tchoupitoulas St., right across the corner from Tipitina's, New Orlean's famous music venue.

Thomas Mann lives and works in New Orleans, LA where he oversees a jewelry design studio, and Gallery I/O. He exhibits his work in sculpture, painting and printmaking, as well as jewelry in one person and group exhibitions in a continuing artistic mission.

Shipping Information

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