Abstract not available

Jewelry has been used as a gift exchange between lovers for many centuries. It has been conveyed in a variety of forms to symbolize the meaning of love. This body of work is associated with glory of love, of sexual experience between lovers representing the idea of unity when two parts become one unit, not only in the physical sense, but also in the psychical sense. The works were divided into three series including three pair of rings, two pair of lockets, and five pair of necklaces. The erotic expression has been addressed on every piece in an abstract way counting design motifs, material used, and interaction within the piece itself. Moreover, each piece has romantic meanings and essential aspects as a symbol of love.

Organic forms representing nature, but not particular species, are combined with elements signifying attitudes toward the natural world with an emphasis on North American culture. The viewer is encouraged to consider human effects on the environment. Aquarium Night Light and Trophy both refer to the human tendency for commercial exploitation coupled with the creation of nature images we sometimes seem to prefer over the reality of the natural world. Reliquary metaphorically connects traditional religious connotations associated with saints' relics to both a biblical injunction to use anything we needed from the natural world and our contemporary belief that exposure to nature can have beneficial effects on human mental, spiritual, and physical health.

Chapter 1 describes my previous jewelry work related to my interest in body parts and other materials as medium and lockets. The questions in the statement of problem deal with how the use of a specific body site, color and incorporation of body parts in my jewelry make my work more intimate to the wearer. Chapter 2 discusses the work I focused around the questions proposed in Chapter 1. Important points are: a more focused way of using specific body sites to support my ideas, the use of different skin colors in my work, and the physical effect of my jewelry to the wearer. Chapter 3 expresses my own criticism about the work and my future goals after this project.

The submarine and the spaceship fit in perfectly with the ideas of permanence and protection on which my work has been focusing. It is not coincidental that I have long been fascinated with the shapes and mechanisms of these vehicles. They are complex machines designed for a complex function; I find the precision of this to be appealing. I have used their shapes and mechanisms as design aspect in my thesis work. Also, in the studio, I have developed a type of Damascus steel bowl by modifying a technique once used for making gun barrels. I have made three small vessels inspired by spaceships and submarines using this modified technique.

The lack of ancestral record instilled in me this desire to hold on to memories, and to leave my children with permanent records or memories of our family. My desire to work with metals was inspired by the need to encapsulate a record of memories through a more permanent means. The durability of steel, I feel, can be used as a diary, in the form of an artistic and lasting object, rather than written words. The need to leave behind a legacy inspired me to explore the use of lockets and containers that have some resemblance to a reliquary. My intent was not one of religious purpose, but rather to create a locket or container that would reflect or contain symbols of where one's roots begin, the home.

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "My work about place attachment and the physical markers within the landscape that I consider home - Minnesota. I am interested in space and place and where those two things intersect. Using a limited color palette, metalsmithing and enameling techniques, texture, drawing, and photographs, I imbue my work with the memories of the landscape. My work is about experiencing space and is meant to bring pause -a moment of quiet and calm.."

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "Trappings is a huntress’ vanity room installation, exhibiting the duality of being feminine while utilizing masculine skills and traits. Keela Dee Dooley is a metalsmith from southwest Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains where southern culture has gender expectations, stereotypes, and misconceptions. Working in what is considered a “man’s world” she challenges the expected role of a young woman by being skilled in a traditionally male dominated field, ferrous metalsmithing, and referencing the traditionally male dominated practice of hunting. Breaking the boundaries of industrial equipment and material, she creates elegant yet intimidating wearable sculptures out of steel on the CNC Plasma Cutter."

Artist Statement from the MFA Exhibition: "My work represents my personal experience with having learning differences such as Dyslexia, ADD, Auditory Processing Disorder, and others. I create pieces that reflect my thoughts, experiences, and the obstacles that I face daily. I utilize materials obtained from school desks as memories that reflect on the long periods of time we spend siting at desks in classrooms, during which we discover how to process information. To articulate these experiences, I create marks and drawings on recycled pieces of school desks. These marks indicate equations, words spelling, and information that mimics symbols from my own learning experience. Through the inclusion of hidden stones and drawings, I integrate positive associations and humor."

Works of art by artist Keela Dooley part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition at Oak Street Gallery, entitled "Trappings"

Work of art in copper, enamel, sterling silver, and steel by artist Jessica Sawyer as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "North".

Work of art in Sterling Silver by artist Keela Dooley part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Trappings"

Work of art in School desk, powder coated, steel, sharpie (other media include color sharpie) by artist Jason Thomson as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Drawback".

Work of art in copper, enamel, maple, and graphite paint by artist Jessica Sawyer as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "North".

Work of art in sterling silver, steel, enamel, gold, and graphite by artist Jessica Sawyer as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "North".

Work of art in school desk, black spinel, powder coated (other media include stickers, pencil, sharpie, color sharpie, color pencil, sterling silver) by artist Jason Thomson as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Drawback".

Work of art in Powder Coated Mild Steel (CNC Plasma Cut) by artist Keela Dooley part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Trappings"

Work of art in mild steel & rust (CNC Plasma Cut) by artist Keela Dooley part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Trappings"

Work of art in Mild Steel & Pine (CNC Plasma Cut CNC Routed wood) by artist Keela Dooley part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Trappings"

Work of art in chalk, powder coated, steel by artist Jason Thomson as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Drawback".

Work of art in copper, enamel, iron oxide transfer decal (horse hair, sterling silver, graphite, over-glaze) by artist Jessica Sawyer as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "North".

Work of art in school desk, black spinel, powder coated (other media included sterling silver, steel, pencil, sharpie, color sharpie, stickers) by artist Jason Thomson as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Drawback".

Work of art in school desk, ruby, powder coated (other media include sharpie, color pencil, sterling silver, color sharpie, steel) by artist Jason Thomson as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Drawback".

Work of art in sterling sliver, school desk, zircon (other media includes sharpie, sticker, steel, color sharpie) by artist Jason Thomson as part of a 2019 MFA Exhibition, entitled "Drawback".