I consider myself an artist, designer and alchemist. Alchemy is a power or process of transmuting a common substance usually of little value, into a substance of great value. When creating my art, I begin with a variety of materials that have no relation to one another. During the fabrication process, I make decisions and instill ideas and energy into the materials that creates new purpose, new thoughts, and new combinations.

The spoken word is not my first language. I struggle with words to describe my emotions. I was born as a visual communicator, and pieces of my life have been lost in translation through language. With art as my tool I can take what I’m trying to decipher in front of me, distill it down to its finest properties and translate it into something I can more deeply understand. I use organic shapes and transmute them into metal where I help them find their homes on the body.

How I make decisions about artwork parallels how I live my life. I plan very little, and am confident that everything works out as it’s intended to. Sometimes I’ll make an initial sketch on a scrap of paper, but my pieces evolve as they’re in the process of being created. I make quick decisions, but do take time to consider why I’m making them. Over the years my work has evolved and has taken a very natural, organic and bare form. I like to raise different hues to the metal’s surface with the heat from the flames, letting firescale be a natural patina. This spontaneous approach of working produces quick results that inspire me to move on to the next artwork. I allow the artworks to navigate me, and remain open to whatever that direction is.

Emilie Shapiro