Rea Walsh, MFA 2013

Thesis Exhibition: April 16-20, 2013

Opening Reception: April 19, 6-8pm

Rea Walsh artwork, Flutter Echo

Flutter Echo
Nylon, 2011, 4.75 w x 7 d x 6.5 h inches
Photography by Rea

Rea Walsh artwork, Reverberation

Reverberation
Nylon, 2011, 7 w x 5.25 d x 1.65 h inches
Photography by Rea

Sound waves inspire my jewelry. This idea stems from my experience with hearing loss. I was born with a genetic hearing impairment and rely on hearing aids to amplify and clarify sounds that are otherwise subdued or incomprehensible. My work explores overlapping elements, missing segments, distortion and repetition. All of these concepts relate to how I perceive language and sounds. 

My current body of work showcases my launch into 3D designing and manufacturing. I have developed a formula to the way I work in Rhinoceros (the 3D modeling software we use). I build elements which, when multiplied and arrayed, entwine and interlace. My process takes advantage of computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM), also known as rapid prototyping. With a few commands I can repeat elements ad infinitum, producing intriguing configurations. What I create on the computer is impossible to make by hand because of the complex network of parts throughout each form.