Luna Moth - Ellen Durkan
Ellen Durkan: “The Luna Moth concept was designed around death and re-birth. This is a concept that continues throughout my body of wearable art as well as my drawings. I was interested in the moth’s shapes and its graceful lines and wanted to translate that into steel. I loved that the symbolism of the moth is associated with life cycles ending and beginning again. For me, it was a letting go and growing into a stronger, more aware version of myself. I have a few other pieces that incorporate symbolic elements like lilies for similar reasons. The lily pieces are hollow, and sand can bleed through them like an hourglass, except, unlike an hourglass, you don’t get your time back.
I wanted people to be able to identify the moth shape even though I had stylized the forms. I wanted to piece to feel hopeful and freeing. I used ha-penny scrolls (a traditional forging technique) for the centerpieces, and then I created the teardrop shapes out the bottom to look like the end of the moth's wings. The centerpieces are forged out of 1”x1/4” steel. This gives a sense of scale and shows how you can forge it to various dimensions. I enjoy switching up the visual line weight of the steel; it feels like I’m drawing in three dimensions.
At the center of the moth, I have a fold-formed piece of sheet metal that I cut a jagged line out of with a jeweler's saw. I wanted the center of the moth to be ripped open. I also added gold to the piece in that area as well as other areas to symbolize kintsugi, the Japanese art form of putting broken pottery back together and a metaphor for embracing your imperfections. Recently, I have been using gold in my work for those reasons.
I create my pieces to be wearable because I’m inspired by the body and its vulnerable yet durable qualities. These pieces have helped me better grasp my bodily autonomy, physically and emotionally.”
The purchase of the Luna Moth benefits both the artist and the local charity Curebound. When you purchase the Luna Moth, you get to meet - Ellen Durkan - and order a gorgeous hand-crafted stand to match your home, office, or dwelling, comprised of iron and wood.
Ellen Durkan: “The Luna Moth concept was designed around death and re-birth. This is a concept that continues throughout my body of wearable art as well as my drawings. I was interested in the moth’s shapes and its graceful lines and wanted to translate that into steel. I loved that the symbolism of the moth is associated with life cycles ending and beginning again. For me, it was a letting go and growing into a stronger, more aware version of myself. I have a few other pieces that incorporate symbolic elements like lilies for similar reasons. The lily pieces are hollow, and sand can bleed through them like an hourglass, except, unlike an hourglass, you don’t get your time back.
I wanted people to be able to identify the moth shape even though I had stylized the forms. I wanted to piece to feel hopeful and freeing. I used ha-penny scrolls (a traditional forging technique) for the centerpieces, and then I created the teardrop shapes out the bottom to look like the end of the moth's wings. The centerpieces are forged out of 1”x1/4” steel. This gives a sense of scale and shows how you can forge it to various dimensions. I enjoy switching up the visual line weight of the steel; it feels like I’m drawing in three dimensions.
At the center of the moth, I have a fold-formed piece of sheet metal that I cut a jagged line out of with a jeweler's saw. I wanted the center of the moth to be ripped open. I also added gold to the piece in that area as well as other areas to symbolize kintsugi, the Japanese art form of putting broken pottery back together and a metaphor for embracing your imperfections. Recently, I have been using gold in my work for those reasons.
I create my pieces to be wearable because I’m inspired by the body and its vulnerable yet durable qualities. These pieces have helped me better grasp my bodily autonomy, physically and emotionally.”
The purchase of the Luna Moth benefits both the artist and the local charity Curebound. When you purchase the Luna Moth, you get to meet - Ellen Durkan - and order a gorgeous hand-crafted stand to match your home, office, or dwelling, comprised of iron and wood.
Ellen Durkan: “The Luna Moth concept was designed around death and re-birth. This is a concept that continues throughout my body of wearable art as well as my drawings. I was interested in the moth’s shapes and its graceful lines and wanted to translate that into steel. I loved that the symbolism of the moth is associated with life cycles ending and beginning again. For me, it was a letting go and growing into a stronger, more aware version of myself. I have a few other pieces that incorporate symbolic elements like lilies for similar reasons. The lily pieces are hollow, and sand can bleed through them like an hourglass, except, unlike an hourglass, you don’t get your time back.
I wanted people to be able to identify the moth shape even though I had stylized the forms. I wanted to piece to feel hopeful and freeing. I used ha-penny scrolls (a traditional forging technique) for the centerpieces, and then I created the teardrop shapes out the bottom to look like the end of the moth's wings. The centerpieces are forged out of 1”x1/4” steel. This gives a sense of scale and shows how you can forge it to various dimensions. I enjoy switching up the visual line weight of the steel; it feels like I’m drawing in three dimensions.
At the center of the moth, I have a fold-formed piece of sheet metal that I cut a jagged line out of with a jeweler's saw. I wanted the center of the moth to be ripped open. I also added gold to the piece in that area as well as other areas to symbolize kintsugi, the Japanese art form of putting broken pottery back together and a metaphor for embracing your imperfections. Recently, I have been using gold in my work for those reasons.
I create my pieces to be wearable because I’m inspired by the body and its vulnerable yet durable qualities. These pieces have helped me better grasp my bodily autonomy, physically and emotionally.”
The purchase of the Luna Moth benefits both the artist and the local charity Curebound. When you purchase the Luna Moth, you get to meet - Ellen Durkan - and order a gorgeous hand-crafted stand to match your home, office, or dwelling, comprised of iron and wood.
Each purchase of the Luna Moth benefits the artist and local San Diego Charity - Curebound. You will get a private meeting with the artist and the ability to order a custom wood / metal stand for your piece.