Spartanburg artist Christine Blackburn values a minimalistic approach to her artwork – jewelry, cross stitch and photography – but she wants others to appreciate the underlying complex purpose of her works, which she will exhibit in “The Minimalist Instinct” March 3 through 28 in Gallery II of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.
An artist’s reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, as part of Spartanburg ArtWalk. The reception and exhibition viewing are free and open to the public. The pieces in the show will be offered for purchase with prices ranging from $35 to $700.
“The concept of this exhibition illustrates my instinct to create minimalist pieces,” says Blackburn, a native of Germany who has lived in Spartanburg for 19 years. “The exhibition will be a place to present my unique form of minimalism. These pieces are designed to seem candid, but the structure and purpose rooted into them is more complex. This exhibition will be composed of my sterling silver and copper jewelry, cross stitch work and photography.”
Her inspiration for her art “is an endless cascading waterfall for me,” she says. “I take influence from everything around me as I did for this exhibit.”
Visitors to the exhibit will find it “intriguing, an experience that offers inspiration to others so that they may see or create more work that embodies them fittingly,” Blackburn adds. “I hope the audience gets to experience the joy I put into my work. It truly brings me happiness to design and create my artwork. I hope that is something the audience can see as well.”
Blackburn recently added copper to her jewelry work. “I had started that just a few months ago while I’ve been working with silver for years now. Mixed metal is something I have always wanted to try out, and it worked really well with my designs.”
She adds, “The exhibition will be a place to present my unique form of minimalism. I hope to spread joy with my work and give the audience an experience that inspires them and intrigues them.”
Blackburn says that as a jewelry artist, she is “driven by a passion for crafting pieces that evoke a sense of wonder and joy in those who wear them. My work is a celebration of the unique beauty found in minimalism and geometric forms. Each piece is meticulously designed to harmonize with the wearer’s individuality while embodying a timeless elegance.”
She specializes in creating lightweight jewelry that seamlessly blends form and function. “By utilizing innovative techniques and materials, I strive to offer pieces that are not only visually striking but also comfortable to wear for extended periods,” she says. “My greatest joy as an artist comes from knowing that my creations bring happiness to people’s lives. Whether it’s a delicate pendant or a statement-making pair of earrings, I aim to instill a sense of confidence and delight in those who adorn themselves with my work. In essence, my jewelry is more than just adornment – it’s a reflection of the wearer’s inner beauty and a testament to the power of simplicity to inspire and uplift the spirit.”
A member of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg for two years, Blackburn says the group “has this homey, welcoming feeling to it that I’ve always enjoyed. The artists represented there are very talented and the spaces they provide give the building personality.”