Molly Epstein - Torn

Artist: Molly Epstein
Materials: sterling silver, bone, yukata fabric
Dimensions: 2" x 1 1/2" x 1/4"

Artist Statement: My father died just over a year ago, I recently went through his belongings over zoom with my brother. The thing that moved me to tears were his jeans with holes in the knees.  I wanted to hold them but I couldn’t. When making this piece I was thinking about my father, his jeans, and his sick bones covered in disease.  The beautiful Yukata fabric that I had such different plans for became a stand in for my dad's torn jeans and the pain that fabric and clothing can hold.

Artist Bio:  Molly Epstein received degrees in Metals and Jewelry from Tyler School of Art (BFA 2002) and the University of Washington (MFA 2008). Throughout that time, her work was driven by an interest in the correlation between physical ailments and emotional status.   At the University of Washington, Molly collaborated with engineers and surgeons to make contributions to medical science by creating prototypes for surgical devices and prosthetics.  She had a particular focus on diminishing the number of surgeries children (and their families) had to endure.
After having children of her own she is armed with new experiences from which to draw upon.  The desire to address and change thought patterns and reactions caused by our personal wounds continues to be the impetus for new work.