Monica Moreno | Drowning in Pleasure, Love, and Pain

Artist: Monica Moreno, California
Materials: sterling silver, freshwater pearls
Size: 10

Artist Statement: Drowning in Pleasure, Love and Pain is a one-of-a-kind creation, created by sculpting on a wax-injected vintage signet ring blank. The artist, Monica Moreno sculpted the face and the two anatomical human parts on the sides. Texture was added throughout the sterling silver ring, two freshwater pearls, and a dark patina. If you look at the underside of the face of the ring, you will find a heart.
This ring is a tangible manifestation of intangible sentiments – speaking of the overwhelming power of love, pain, and pleasure. A journey of emotions that are sometimes overwhelming, intoxicating.

Artist Bio: Mónica Moreno is an interdisciplinary artist who uses the art-making skills she has acquired to explore human emotion and the different ways we interconnect with one another through life experiences. Having begun her art journey most notably as a dancer, Mónica performed and choreographed for colleges and small theatre companies in Los Angeles, CA. While dancing she studied audio production, video production, and graphic design. Much later, Mónica discovered and fell in love with metalwork, and mixed-media sculpture. She is presently focused on creating wearable artwork and sculpture, although the digital skills that she has acquired also make it into much of her practice. She is a lifelong learner who is in awe of the many materials and techniques there are to learn and use to create the work she envisions.

This ring was part of Battle of the Rings: Ring Smackdown 2024, an online exhibition and competition. View the entire collection HERE, view the matches HERE, and learn more HERE.