Book of Stars
There is a book of stars
with words of wisdom
in each glowing orb.
This book is found
by searching time,
for who we want to be,
and becoming who we are.
Nelsie Davis c1999
brooch
Nelsie Davis c1997
22K.SS bimetal 8K Sterling Silver
hollow construction
1 1/4" x 7/8" x 1/2"
commission
photo: Bill Bachhuber
Collection of The Museum of Contemporary Crafts
Portland Oregon
This necklace was made just after my first daughter was born and at the same time, my parents were dying. My obsession became to protect my child from death. In reading Elie Wiesel’s words, I was able to visualize work which could, if anything could, protect my child, as well as remind the world of how we can help stop indifference to evil.
The V is symbolic of the womb and the symbols represent eternal life and our deepest fears.
Evil must be seen in the light of day. My hope is that this work will speak for those who can’t.
"…to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all…"
Elie Wiesel
"Never forget"
Elie Weisel.
This is my most serious and political work. I feel deeply about it and am glad I had the courage to create this necklace and series.
necklace
"Mother’s Fears"
Nelsie Davis c1982
Sterling Silver
hollow construction
necklace
Nelsie Davis c1979
Sterling Silver platinum diamonds
hollow construction
private collection
exhibited at the
Foster-White Gallery 1980
collection of the Tacoma Art Museum
gift of Mrs. Warland Wight
"the lake"
necklace Sterling Silver 18K Palladium tourmaline
forged and hollow fabrication
Nelsie Davis c2006
This piece is a celebration of the lives of those of us lucky enough to grow up on American Lake and even luckier to have done it with Chuck Wight at 8 Country Club Dr. Chuck was killed in Vietnam. He died a hero. He was dear to me. This necklace was made with love and devotion.
Nelsie Davis, jewelry maker, has shown extensively in Portland and Seattle. Her geometric, hollow construction pieces are favorites of many Northwest art collectors and individuals in the arts.
Davis earned a BFA in Sculpture from Boston University and has been making jewelry since 1975. In 1980 Nelsie received a National Endowment for the Arts Craftsman fellowship. Her work is emotional, drawing inspiration from nature and history as well as motherhood and the life experience.
ring
Nelsie Davis c1993
18 Sterling Silver platinum 1.5 ct diamomd
hollow construction
commission
earrings
Nelsie Davis c.2007
Sterling Silver
hollow construction
trademark earwire
private collection
brooch.18K
hollow fabrication
Nelsie Davis c1985
collection of the artist
Creating beautiful objects is one goal. Another is to find the voice within. Each is symbolic of transformation and a reminder to pay attention. The gift is of endless mysterious moments in time, finding who I am and becoming who I want to be. This consciousness keeps me interested, motivated and moving forward, examining new ideas and solutions.
There are moments when I am grounded and in balance. Other moments my feelings are a more complicated mix of human emotion. I work at understanding these feelings, thinking about them as deeply as I can. I try to visualize what a moment looks like. Then I try to envision a piece which will explain it.
A vocabulary of shapes works to form a view of my world. Shapes and light are at the core of each piece. My hope is to connect to others through the commonality of human emotion and experience. My work is about living, these moments, the ups and downs which power them, make my history and connect me to humanity.
Nelsie Davis c.2010
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Wendell Berry
Nelsie Davis c. 2009
gouache and pencil