Brittney Hampton - Plus One Collective
Brittney Hampton
Designer biography:
Brittney Hampton is a metalsmith from Austin, Texas. She received her MFA from the University of North Texas. While at the University of North Texas, she had the opportunity to teach beginning and intermediate metalsmithing courses. Her work currently involves the combination of textile techniques with enameling. Her forms are inspired by the natural world without mimicking any organism specifically. Knitted, crocheted, or woven wire is shaped to create three-dimensional forms that are then enameled. Each knitted form is unique and different from the last; this unique style makes each piece a one-of-a-kind work of art. Her work has been a part of exhibitions such as "Materials: Hard + Soft" and The Enamelist Society exhibitions "Alchemy 7" and "InFlux3."
Collection concept
My current body of work is an exploration of light, color, and space through an expanded understanding of plique-à-jour and textile techniques. Textile techniques are combined with metal and enamel to create dynamic forms that reference the natural world without mimicking any organism specifically. I use various textile techniques such as knitting, crocheting, and twining. Each method is chosen with a purpose as each produces a different effect when paired with enamel. The forms of my pieces are influenced by carnivorous plants which, unlike other plants, lure living prey through nectar and utilize intense coloration to mimic flowers. These methods are used in conjunction with features such as pitfalls, adhesives, and movement to snare prey. When asking myself “Why do I wear jewelry?” I discovered that I personally wear jewelry as a conversation starter, since wearing a statement piece entices more people to interact with me. My work is created with the express goal of catching one's eye and luring them closer. The forms I create have an alien appearance, utilizing the color palettes and forms from carnivorous plants, orchids, and fungi to create something distinctly new yet distantly familiar. Colorful reflections and small details invite people to explore my work and in turn, interact with and explore me as a person.
