--- .\  IN THE NEWS

ACQUISITION

Bettina Speckner .\ RISD MUSEUM

RHODE ISLAND —The Rhode Island School of Design Museum has acquired a work from Bettina Speckner's recent series Seabodies.

'Throughout history, coral has been valued as a natural wonder and a protective talisman. Speckner emphasizes these associations by combining coral with old photographs while also showcasing its physical beauty—its unique color and branching structure. In response to environmental concerns, she explores alternative materials, often creating ‘coral’ from solid aluminum and using Venetian glass or 3D-printing.

The sea provides other treasures like shells and pearls, which inspire Speckner's poetic visual stories... she honors nature's magnificence through her jewelry, preserving coral, shells, and pearls for future generations. By making these pieces wearable, Speckner offers a chance to reconnect with the beauty of our shared world.'

Excerpted and summarized from an essay by Ward Schrijver for Galerie Rob Koudijs

BETTINA SPECKNER  .\  Seabodies No. 24, 2024. Sterling silver, photo etching on zinc, coral & Venetian glass