Robin Levin | Concentric Twins

Artist: Robin Levin, Massachusetts
Materials: sterling silver, inset furnace made glass murrine
Size: 8.5

Artist Statement: This ring incorporates both hand crafted silver and glass. It was designed to explore the dual nature of jewelry, which often has has social and symbolic value. Here, two identical slices of murrine are separated by a thin disc of silver to highlight the internal and external aspects of the ring and to bring more reflected light to both pieces of glass. The wearer alone can see the inside murrine, and the external view is cut off from the internal view. Circles and spirals have long been used in traditional jewelry and they add power to the presenting and private faces of this ring.

Artist Bio: Robin Levin is excited to join the jewelry world as a maker, having spent her professional career as a surgeon and biomedical consultant. Recently retired, she now focuses full time on her art practice, which draws on skills acquired over the past 20 years as a weekend glass blower and mixed media craftsperson. Long enamored of jewelry, both as a process and a product, she has only recently expanded her studio practice to create a line of jewelry that incorporates handmade glass murrine and precious metals. Each piece includes fused and hot formed pieces of highly colored and delightfully unusual murrine that are paired with hand hammered bezels for rings, pins and chains. The products are playful and well-crafted nods to both traditions; encouraging detailed examination and bold expression of joy in their wearing. Such is the delight felt by their maker in selecting a wide palate of color options and light transmissibility of murrine and the slightly more restrained elegance of silver and gold – a beautiful harmony that elevates all of the materials.

This ring was part of Battle of the Rings: Ring Smackdown 2023, an online exhibition and competition. View the entire collection HERE, view the matches HERE, and learn more HERE.