Mary Forst Designs
Large Overlap Studs
Sterling silver, mild steel, cultured freshwater pearl
3/4" x 1/2"

Bio

My name is Mary Forst, I am a metalsmith and a jeweler. I grew up in the small town of Chester, Connecticut along the Connecticut River and now reside in Portland, Maine.

I was drawn to the crafts at a very young age, often inspired by the act of making whether it be knitting, beading, drawing or painting. My family was extremely supportive of my interest in arts and craft and made a point to activate my creativity often. I spent a great deal of time with my grandmother who taught me to knit and sew and with my aunt who made and sold beaded jewelry at local craft fairs. I loved working with my hands and especially loved making things I could wear.

I was fortunate enough to attend a public high school with a well developed arts program and investigated as many mediums as possible. I appreciated all of the processes I attempted but jewelry making was by far the most intriguing. By the time I was sixteen I knew that I wanted to be a jeweler.

I went on to study metalsmithing and jewelry at Maine College of Art and graduated in the spring of 2016 with my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During my time at Meca I was able to to learn traditional metalsmithing techniques as well as conceptual ways to apply them.

After graduating I began working full time in the field and began to develop my personal studio practice. In the fall of 2017 I began making work with the intent to sell. I now have a small production line and hope to continue developing my skill set. I take part in several local jewelry shows each year and sell my jewelry at a few shops in New England.

Artist Statement

The fascination I have with the significance of objects stems from my own history. Sentimental items collected throughout my life include bottles of lake water, dried flowers from my grandfather's funeral, and earlier items from childhood, such as outgrown clothing. These items have served to help me preserve a memory or emotion.

My practice is inspired by the inherent connections we have to what I call the "residual object." Throughout history, items have been passed down through generations as keepsakes. These may include items that signify family wealth or one's social standing, such as a badge of honor. Material remnants left behind allow us to forge a dialogue

between our past and the present. By incorporating and referencing bygone items in my work I hope to speak to the relationship between our humanity and the heirloom.

My use of the pearl, whether the form is fully realized, crushed, or abstracted, operates as a representation of my relationship to heirloom. Pearl, as a material, signifies a personal, sentimental value that describes a strong bond between generations of powerful women in my family. Utilizing this material and juxtaposing it with blackened steel allows me to honor these women while exploring my own my relationship to this bond.