COLE ELLER
Cole Kamerick Eller is a mixed media artist and metal smith, based out of Detroit, Michigan. He is graduating with BFA in Craft and Material studies from College for Creative Studies. While his practice is based in metal smithing and jewelry making, Cole uses a verity of mediums to create work that explores ideas concerning identity construction, while observing and critiquing western culture.
Boys in Pearls - All videos, 2023.
Boys in Pearls - All videos, 2023.
A RECOGNITION. 2023. 24k Gold, Fresh water pearl. 1.5x0.08 inches.
A RECOGNITION. 2023. 24k Gold, Fresh water pearl. 1.5x0.08 inches.
NOTICING SOMETHING. 2023. Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Fresh water pearl. 1x1 inches.
NURSING. 2023. Sterling Silver, Fresh water pearls. 4x3x2 inches.
WITHOUT THE ABSENCE. 2023. Sterling Silver, Fresh water pearl. 5x3 inches.
WITHOUT THE ABSENCE. 2023. Sterling Silver, Fresh water pearl. 5x3 inches.
COLE’S PEARLS. 2023 Sterling Silver, Fresh water pearls, plastic bag.
OF GREAT WORTH. 2023. Sterling silver, Fresh water pearls, Knit fabric. 4x4 feet.
OF GREAT WORTH. 2023. Sterling silver, Fresh water pearls, Knit fabric. 4x4 feet.
COLE ELLER
This body of work investigates the relationship between violence and care. Through a combination of traditional technique, and in process exploration, I am able to utilize precious metals, fresh water pearls, and occasional other materials to create dynamic objects. Through the activation of performance these objects become jewelry. Jewelry that is caring, and violent. Playful, yet dreadful.
Boys in Pearls is an attempt to create a tender image. Tender, as in a recognition of pain. i.e. a knowledge of violence, without the absence of care. Out of cultural observation and fascination with performance of masculinity. This work has become an abstraction of my former craft. It is a reflection of my own queerness. A recreation of a feeling. An opportunity for the straight boy to feel pretty. Boys in Pearls is an image I have constructed out of western divinity. A performance, like any other; it is consumption, praise, masculinity, femininity, shadows. An image of themselves, an appearance they did not know that they had.