Arts - Bennett Graham - Sculpture that you can wear

    Since Camden metals artist Bennett Graham was laid off last fall, he has put it all on the line, online, that is. Graham has just released the first sculptural jewelry designs for winter 2010-11 at his debut website http://bensartshop.com/. Over the years, Bennett has sold his work at galleries like the Weisman Museum and Walker Art Center; with the website, he aims to reach a wider public view.  The collection - titled City Splash/Flash-is created from hand-wrought aluminum wire embellished with crystals, glass and even rubber. Recently laid off from a job in his other career, graphic design for TV news, Graham returned to his first love of sculpture and metal work, adding his unique touch the field of jewelry design. The brushed aluminum of one of his creations dangles from Graham's left ear catching the morning sun. "When I first started making earrings, one of my best friends (a woman) told me to go out and get an ear pierced so I could feel how they were to wear. Great idea, since it also helps me to design them."

    Cold connections. No, that does not refer to the fact that Bennett works in Minneapolis.  "Cold connection" is a term that means there is no soldering used to hold the jewelry together; hammering and bending the metal keeps the elements in place. "I've always been a secret architect at heart," says Bennett. "But I hated the math. The shapes and connections I make in the jewelry are intuitive and the process satisfies my love of building things." And what of starting a business during the Great Recession? "I've been sending out resumes for a year now and I'm still sitting at home, so I figured I may as well work at home," he says. "It's great to hold something I've created with my own hands at the end of the day."

    Bennett has sold his work at galleries and shops across the U.S. He says his creations also travel the globe. "I've sold to people from Brazil, Germany, Russia-you name it.  It's very cool to know that my art is being worn all over the world.  It's a great connection and expression as an artist." He is excited to be able to offer his new designs online at http://bensartshop.com/.  New creations made in his North Minneapolis studio are added weekly.