Abbi Tucker
2nd Place – “Chimera”
Abbi Tucker's work displays a level of sophistication and confidence beyond her years. It is always rewarding to see young designers who are gifted on so many levels. Her piece “Chimera” is truly remarkable not only for its craftsmanship and artistic beauty, but for capturing a world of fantasy in metal.
Artist Interview:
Q. How did you come up with the title?
It is an amalgam of many different species and this title seemed to fit.
Q. What/who was your inspiration?
I thought about the pelt of this creature which is a combination of many different species. Much of it is left to your imagination. I created this piece to be a pelt of an imaginary creature that is a combination of bird and insect, and maybe a few other things. You only see the shoulder of the creature, so the rest is left to the viewer to envision.
Q. How long did it take to make the piece?
Somewhere between 120 hours and 140 hours over a three-week period.
Q. What challenges did you overcome while you were making it?
Soldering because there are so many pieces. Some pieces are connected by wires and others are connected to each other. There are so many pieces and parts, so managing them to get everything together in a clean fashion was a challenge.
Q. What do you plan to do with the piece?
This is my piece. I plan to keep it. “Chimera” is staying with me, both as a kind of prototype for other pieces as well as a fun statement piece.
Q. Will this piece inspire other work?
Yes. A lot of the elements I want to make into smaller pieces which are for more everyday wear.
Saul Bell Design Award
Q. What did you feel when you learned you’d won?
I was excited but the full excitement didn’t come until I looked at the website again. I was so thrilled that my piece would be a part of these amazing past winners.
Q. Whom did you tell first about winning?
I told a few friends because I was in the jewelry studio on campus at Savannah College of Art and Design when I got the call. And my boyfriend and my father.
Educational and Professional Background
Q. Of all the arts and crafts, why did you choose jewelry?
There are a few reasons. The first is that I like the process of making jewelry. I like monotonous, tedious, time-intensive work because it is so meditative. And the second is that I really fell in love with the community of jewelers at school. Initially I was a fashion major but the people in this department won me over. From what I’ve seen of the jewelry community, artists are very supportive and excited by each other’s work and I thought, “If these are the kind of people I am surrounded by and working with for the rest of my life, sign me up!”
Q. What was the first piece of jewelry you ever made?
It was a copper necklace etched with moths and moon patterns.
Q. What was your training/academic background in jewelry-making?
I am at Savannah College of Art and Design right now and will graduate in 2021.
Q. What was the biggest challenge you have faced in your business?
Just starting it. I plan to begin in the next couple months. It should be a challenge to balance schoolwork with running a business.
Q. What is the best advice you received?
One of my professors this past quarter said, “You have to take care of yourself before you take care of your jewelry.” I tend to be a workaholic.
Q. What other awards, honors have you received in your career?
I won the international Design Award for a gold piece. I also placed at the Gold level in the International Design Awards, hosted by the Farmani Group.
Q. What is your definition of “success”?
I think it is being satisfied with the work I am doing. I want to create work I really love and can get behind.
Creative Influences and Environment
Q. What or who do you think has been the strongest influence or inspiration on your work?
I am a bookworm when it comes to fantasy novels, to the point that I’ll hole up for days to finish a series. I love creating worlds and creatures that may not exist and translating elements of those worlds into wearable pieces.
Q. What artist dead, or alive, do you most admire? Why?
I really admire Wallace Chan’s work. His work is an exploration of nature, philosophy, and life. He talks about stones as if they were alive, with their own distinct personalities, and feels it’s his job to bring out that uniqueness.
Q. Do you follow long-term trends? If so, why or why not?
I do not. I feel jewelry is very personal. You are who you are and a trend is unlikely to alter that. Jewelry is meant to be passed down and so it really is something that is timeless rather than trendy.
Q. Is the product or the process more important to you? Why?
They work in tandem. The end product is why you are doing it, but it is shaped by the process. You can’t have one without the other.
Q. What is your favorite tool?
My hands. I heard that originally from a costume designer with whom I was interning and couldn’t help but agree.
Q. What metals, gemstones, processes do you enjoy most?
Right now I mainly work in sterling silver. I have dabbled in gold and it is so wonderful to work with, so I would like to use it more in future pieces. Lost wax is terrific. For any figural or very sculptural piece casting is my go-to because I can shape the wax in a way I couldn’t achieve through fabrication. I can carve a piece and see what the final piece will look like before metal is even brought in.
Q. Describe your studio.
Empty—I just started renting studio space outside of school and have yet to equip it.
My workspace at Savannah College of Art and Design tends to sprawl across three benches, includes two or three half-empty cups of coffee, with far more tools out than I need. Surrounding all of this are the layers of my toolbox that leave barely enough space for my chair. I’m not what you’d call a particularly clean worker.
Interview by Marlene Richey