Recently, a small group of EGNE members visited Amy Roper Lyons in her studio in NJ to find out more about her latest Plique-à-Jour work. It’s a always interesting to see an artist in their natural habi tat. As practitioners we hope to glean some tidbit which spurs us on through our own challenges or just to help us on to take next steps in our own studios. We took this opportunity to ask Amy about the work she’s doing now.
CS: You’ve been working on plique vessels for a while now. Are you continuing to work on these kinds of vessels ? & How had your process evolved?
ARL: Recently, I made a grouping of plique vessels for the Museum of the City of New York’s exhibition, New York Silver: Then and Now, which juxtaposed historical works from the Museum’s collection with works made by contemporary artists working in silver. http://www.mcny.org/exhibition/new-york-silver
These goblets reimagined the place of the female figure in this type of decorative vessel, showing them as strong and capable.
CS: Would you say that plique is your favorite technique? —
ARL: I am equally passionate about my plique a jour and cloisonne work. I enjoy going back and forth between the two techniques. For me, piqué a jour is the ideal enameling method for vessels, as they can be lit to enhance the effect. Cloisonné is my choice for jewelry, since cloisonné looks great in many lighting environments.
CS: What have been your biggest challenges?
ARL: My biggest challenge has always been to retain my excitement and discovery for the act of making. I do this by continuing to learn new techniques and challenge myself to get outside my comfort zone.
CS: Do you have any exciting projects that you are working on — or things you are itching to get back to when you aren’t teaching?
ARL: Right now I’m finishing a group of plique a jour cups and goblets, with variations on purple/orange/magenta/green color compositions. This winter does not want to end, so these hot colors from my summer garden are warming my soul!
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Sign up to take Amy’s Plique-à-Jour workshop at the EGNE conference May 2018
