Belle Brooke
Artist Statement
The circle is a universal symbol of flow, life force, cycle, and interconnection. The circle is the beginning and the end, the empty and the full, it is everything and it is no-thing-ness, it never ends and it never begins. So much of life is a circle – the Earth and planets, the sun, the moon, the universe, tiny particles, a drop of water, a floating bubble. Sometimes we forget that we are all of it, the light and the dark, we are connected to the Earth, to the Universe, and to each other. The circle reminds us of oneness and that we can never fall out of it, that we are everything and nothing all at once.
Each piece embodies the essence of this concept through the use of a signature circular filigree matrix that I created and have been refining since 2005. It is organic in nature and encased in hard edge frames that bind it. Using color and contrast in the metal, as well as negative space, colored gemstones and diamonds, each piece engages those who gaze upon it. Some pieces are of abstract shapes and designs and some are earthly elements. Each piece is to be worn as a modern talisman, to remind us of what we are and know that at any moment we can click our heels and be home within ourselves, and that we are always connected to the vast, wild, and infinite universe.
Biography
Belle Brooke Barer established Belle Brooke Designs in 2006 upon her return to Los Angeles. Born and raised in Houston, Tx, Barer ventured westward in 1997 to attend Pitzer College in Claremont, Ca. Her studies at Pitzer concentrated in various mediums of studio art, focusing mainly on photography. After moving north to the San Francisco bay area, she began her jewelry studies at The Crucible in Berkeley, Ca, and later attended the Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts in San Francisco, where she received her professional certification as a goldsmith. After completing her studies she worked for Studio 311 as a bench jeweler. Belle has been the recipient of various awards most notably the AGTA Spectrum awards in 2012 and 2018, the Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year award in 2008, and the Halstead Grant in 2007. She currently makes her home in Santa Fe, Nm.
Selected Jewelry Exhibition
2012 Design Works Gallery, Winter Contemporary Jewelry Show, Galveston TX
2011 Design Works Gallery, Winter Contemporary Jewelry Show, Galveston TX
2010 Goldesberry Gallery, Winter Invitational, Houston TX
2009 IMEC Winter Exhibition, Albuquerque NM
2009 Langman Gallery Winter Show, Willow Grove PA
2008 Taboo Studio, New Artists New Directions, San Diego CA
2008 First Annual Kinkaid Alumni Art Exhibition, Houston TX
2007 Goldesberry Gallery, Winter Invitational, Houston TX
2007 Cervini Haas Gallery, Art Jewelry Invitational, Scottsdale AZ
2007 Couture Awards and Show, Pratt Mansion, New York NY
2007 Sculpture to Wear, Salon de Artistes, Santa Monica CA
2007 Aaron Faber Gallery, The Necklace Show, New York NY
2007 ACCI Gallery, National Juried Craft Exhibition, Berkeley CA
2006 Goldesberry Gallery, Winter Invitational, Houston TX
Awards
2018 JCK Worthmore Challenge 1st Place
2018 Spectrum Awards Gem Diva Award
2017 JCK Uncommon Goods Challenge 2nd Place
2012 Best of Show, Boulder Open Arts Festival
2012 Spectrum Awards Winner, Business Daywear
2012 Spectrum Awards Winner, Fashion Forward
2012 Niche Awards Finalist, Gold with Stones
2009 Niche Awards Finalist, Silver with Stones
2008 Jewelers of America Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year, Winner
2008 AJDC New Talent Competition, Honorable mention
2008 Niche Awards, silver with stones, Winner
2007 Halstead Bead Business Development Grant for Bridge Jewelry, Winner
2007 Niche Awards, Finalist, Gold with Stones
2007 Niche Awards, Finalist, Silver with Stones