Kristina Merchant
About Kristina Merchant
Artist Kristina Merchant, based in Glasgow, showcases a collection of wearable objects with cigarettes and beer bottle aesthetics. A deep-rooted family history in the urban landscape spans generations, tracing back to their Nana Irene, who worked in a cigarette factory before owning her own pubs across Europe.
During Kristina’s time at The Glasgow School of Art, she balanced studies with employment at a local pub, The Bell Jar, capturing the essence of British culture and social gatherings – drinks shared and cigarettes lit – which she translated into her creations using these overlooked remnants. Crafted with a narrative meant to provoke shifts in human behaviour, her approach resonates with the Speculative Design method that substantially influenced her research.
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Utilising a sanding machine and a pendant drill, Kristina carefully crafts amber to resemble cigarette filters, drawing inspiration from traditional smoking pipes. The Marlboro Gold jewellery receives a meticulous touch with a 24ct-gold coating applied through Keum-boo. Silver is thinly rolled, oxidised, and manipulated to evoke the appearance of burnt or wrinkled paper. The jewellery is finished with recycled ground waste amber to fill in as tobacco. Kristina explores similar carving techniques with her new form, the bottleneck, making quartz and mineral rings.
Information on commissions
All Goldsmiths’ Fair exhibitors welcome commissions. Don’t hesitate to contact this maker and start a conversation about commissioning a piece, unique to you. Examples of commissioning include transforming or combining old jewellery into new pieces, incorporating stones into new settings, or simply working together to create a bespoke piece in the style of this maker.
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