Steven Shein's line of jewelry began as an avant-guard, anti-consumerist undergrad performance art project of wearable, oversized stockade pieces. Irony being what it is, he's now becoming more known for the resulting collections of pop accessories thanraging against the machine.
Even if Shein has left the world of confrontational art for the bangle trade, he's yet to "sell out," as they say. Inspired by the idea of maximizing common materials, Shein prefers inexpensive mediums, like wood or Plexiglass, to precious metals and stones. As well, he keeps his lines free of imported materials or outsourced labor. "We ain't going to China for anything and this allows us the chance to make professional-looking products without worrying about where it is getting made," says Shein. "The laser cutter is in our studio so we don't have to rely on anyone."
For his recent laser-cut "puppet necklace," Shein recently collaborated with Delphine Coindet, a Parisian artist known for transforming her computer-generated images into physical sculpture. "She sent me 20 illustrator files, and I made them into pendants,"
Shein says. "This was for fun and to engage in a project with someone who makes work that I'm totally into." Certainly the spiky-headed result--with its combination of pop, punk, and artistic influences--is about as fun as you can get, at least with a necklace.
Shein says. "This was for fun and to engage in a project with someone who makes work that I'm totally into." Certainly the spiky-headed result--with its combination of pop, punk, and artistic influences--is about as fun as you can get, at least with a necklace.
Steven Shein Puppet necklace, $99, available at Pixie Market, 7950 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles.