Pati Tozer | Swoop Ring

Artist: Pati Tozer, Canada
Materials: sterling silver, brass
Size: 5.25

Artist Statement: The Swoop ring features a tiny kinetic automaton bird that dips and dives at the turn of its little mechanism. Swallows are cheerful, social birds, identifiable by their unique flight pattern and elegant, pointed tail feathers. Thought to be the heralds of good news, they symbolize cheerfulness and good luck.
Automata are sculptures that employ a variety of mechanical elements to create movement. Ideally these are self-powered, but in this case the mechanics of the ring are controlled by the wearer. The resulting movements approximate those of a real swallow, which is notable for the swooping nature of its flight.

Artist Bio: Patricia Tozer is a fine artist, experimental silversmith and designer working in relationship with her materials to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. Patricia’s influences are varied and include Irish and Czech folk lore and her extensive knowledge of the history of Western art. She has chosen jewelry as the vehicle for her artistic expression because it has the power to cross boundaries, help us find community and to aid each of us in expressing our unique selves.
Patricia studied fine arts at McMaster University and earned her Master’s degree at the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C., Canada. She was fortunate to learn metalsmithing from master goldsmith and multimedia artist, Tosca Terán in Toronto, Canada.
She lives and works in the Pacific Northwest on an island in the ocean.

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.