Momentum Artist: Hillarey Dees

Hillarey Dees, Tulsa

Hillarey Dees, Loved One's Knuckles, Sterling Silver, 1x1x1”

Q: What was the concept behind your Momentum artworks?

Hillarey Dees: For my piece, Loved One’s Knuckles, I was thinking about personal relationships and wanted to make something that reminded me of the bonds I have with the important people in my life. First I made molds from the hands that have touched my life and then cast them into silver. I wanted to use the knuckles because of their natural texture and personal identity. These rings are able to be worn on the knuckles giving a feeling of protection and unity with the person that lent their hand for my work. 

Hillarey Dees, Rosewood Hinged Bracelet, Sterling Silver, Rosewood, & Rubies, 7x1x2”

Q: Explain the technique and/or process you used to create your Momentum works.
Dees: For the Rosewood Bracelet I wanted to mimic the natural curve that narrows at the wrist between the arm and the hand. I first carved and polished the sections of wood for one block of Rosewood. The inlaid wood with hammered silver wire emphasizes the natural grain of the wood.

I also wanted to add focal points in the bracelet by tube-setting rubies and soldering the setting to the wire. The hinges are hand crafted with silver tubing and sheet metal. The soldering process for the hinges had to be precise for all the sections to fit together well.

Momentum OKC opens March 4& 5 with live music, performance and visual art by 97 young Oklahomans.  The exhibition remains on display until March 8 at 311 S Klein, OKC. Learn more or buy tickets here.