Graphite Pendulum-Pendant

Copied Joan Parcher, Graphite Pendulum-Pendant, 1994, graphite, sterling silver, and stainless steel, 13 128 121 12 in. (34.321.63.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1995.12

Artwork Details

Title
Graphite Pendulum-Pendant
Artist
Date
1994
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
13 128 121 12 in. (34.321.63.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund
Mediums Description
graphite, sterling silver, and stainless steel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory — jewelry
Object Number
1995.12

Artwork Description

Parcher's neckpiece invites us to reconsider the relationship between jewelry and the body we often take for granted. The minimalist pendant features a single piece of lathe-turned graphite, rather than precious stones. Its understated elegance masks the artist's subversive intent. When worn, the wearer's movements cause the graphite to swing gently, leaving its mark.

Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery, 2019

Luce Center Label

In Graphite Pendulum-Pendant, Joan Parcher reminds the viewer that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Instead of traditional gemstones or precious metals, the artist uses materials gathered from a dump. Her works challenge the notion of preciousness and the tradition of jewelry as ornament. The pendant sways on the wearer’s body, smearing a dark stain across the chest and making the wearer a part of the artwork. The piece continually disintegrates as the material scrapes the surface of the clothing, shattering our idea of jewelry as a precious heirloom.

Exhibitions

Media - 2016.11 - SAAM-2016.11_6 - 124929
Connections: Contemporary Craft at the Renwick Gallery
November 13, 2015March 6, 2022
Connections is the Renwick Gallery’s dynamic ongoing permanent collection presentation, featuring more than 80 objects celebrating craft as a discipline and an approach to living differently in the modern world.