Saskia Moes mixes new materials with recycled gold, silver and precious stones. She re- fabricates old jewelry — wedding rings, family heirlooms etc. — to create fresh designs. This coincides with Moes’ philosophy on sustainability. “Using recycled material not only reduces an individual’s carbon foot print,” she says, “but it also allows the wearer to keep the spirit of their loved ones close to them.”
Moes completed her BFA in Fine Art from Oregon College of Art and Craft (Portland, Oregon) in 2008. During her time spent at OCAC, she earned an honorable mention from the Local 14 — Women in the Arts Foundation (Portland, Oregon) in 2006. She has participated in the Art on the Vine Auction, in 2009 (Portland, Oregon), has participated in several group shows such as, Worksound/PDX Gallery in 2008(Portland, Oregon), Hoffman Gallery in 2008 (Portland, Oregon), as well as Art Adventure Gallery in 2007 (Madras, Oregon). Moes currently works on commission and also sells her jewelry on etsy.com
artist statement
“Jewelry that is worn is energetically charged,
its essence carries chi, even during transformation.”
I have always been attracted to the spiral. Watching my violinmaker parents working (cutting the cello, violin scrolls and f-holes), It is only natural that the beauty of this shape would appear in my work.
By melting recycled metal and rolling it into wire using a rolling mill, I bend and wrap it into a spiral. And after running the flame of my torch over the newly made wire, leaving its surface with a beautiful, organic texture, it begins to resemble tree branches. Intuitively I set the stones. Each piece is unique because of this process.