Kendall Reiss
[2011, MFA Jewelry + Metalsmithing]
Based in Bristol, RI
What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?
In my work I combine natural and found materials with precious metal to produce jewels that are one-of-a-kind. Above all, simplicity, wearability and femininity are the primary considerations in my process of design and hand fabrication. My background in geology and my fascination with the natural world factor heavily in material choices, design combinations, and construction of the final object. Each piece is fabricated entirely by hand in my studio in Bristol, RI. The resulting work is clean and sophisticated; a synthesis of minimal forms, hard and soft elements, and texturally sumptuous materials combined to produce contemporary wearable art.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
My current creative practice spans several different areas of inquiry. While at RISD, I learned to integrate my background in science into my artistic practice at the jewelers bench. Research – be it material or theoretical is an enormous part of the work I make. Time spent at the Nature Lab, the RISD Museum, and the Fleet Library, Special Collections, and Picture Collection helped to fuel and expand the definition of what research meant for my work. I still visit these places as an alum, and I bring by RISD CE students to these places for inspiring their projects and helping them to discover their interests as artists.
Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.
In my work, I focus on two separate yet parallel modes of inquiry: the design and fabrication of contemporary jewelry alongside material experiments, which result in sculptural objects and time-based installations. A native of Bristol, Rhode Island, I grew up exploring the rocky shoreline of Narragansett Bay. I attended Dickinson College where I received a BS in Geology, which provides the visual training and hands-on approach I now use to conduct and record my studio-based investigations.
Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?
I am joining the full time faculty at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston this fall as a Professor of the Practice and co-director of the Senior Thesis Program. The position officially began in September!
Recent interview with Josh Fenton for GoLocalLive: http://www.golocalprov.com/live/Artist-Kendall-Reiss-Is-Helping-to-Drive-the-Rhode-Island-Economy
Recent interview with Boston Voyager: http://bostonvoyager.com/interview/meet-kendall-reiss-kendall-reiss-gallery-studio-gallery-located-bristol-rhode-island-however-teach-full-time-boston-school-museum-fine-arts-tufts-universi/
Nominated for the 2017 U.S. Small Business Administration, Rhode Island Woman Small Business Owner of the Year Award.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I operate an art venue in the East Bay called Kendall Reiss Gallery & Studio. The gallery is located at 469 Wood Street, Bristol, RI 02809. I opened the gallery officially on July 21, 2017 after purchasing the property in January of 2017 and undergoing six months of renovations at 469 Wood Street. I partnered with South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and Bank 5 to secure funding for the project.
The summer exhibition at the gallery featured work by Alyn Carlson, Tanya Crane, and fellow RISD alum, Arpie Gennetian. Surface to Substrate explores the concept of landscape through the lens of three contemporary artists. Works in the exhibition employ a wide variety of media including Carlson’s paintings and drawings inspired by the stark Icelandic landscape, delicate mixed media collages by Gennetian, in combination with Crane’s intricate sgraffito enamel jewelry. [On View: July 2 – August 31, 2018]
To see more of Kendall’s work, visit kendallreiss.com
