Inspired by the cycle of life, each piece of Cheryl Eve Acosta’s jewelry is a sculptural delight. See more of her work by visiting her website.
“Symbiosis” (2009) Copper, Enamel, 9.5” X 6” X 2” Photo by Affandi Setiawa.
Growing up on an island made me wonder how life came about. I collected shells and corals that were left behind by changing tides. I observed the unique textures, colors and shapes of each find. After spending hours on the sandy shores, it became natural for me to adorn my body with these exotic and foreign by-products. These specimens found a home in the form of jewelry, which led to what my current work is about, sculptural jewelry inspired by the cycle of life.
“Healing” (2009) Copper, Organza, 14” X 10” X 6.5” Photo by Affandi Setiawa.
Searching for answers and trying to better understand evolution did not stop with my fascination for ocean life and geology. I looked within to understand who I was. To my surprise, my French-Caribbean name, Cheryl Eve Acosta, had a deeper meaning. Unknown to me at first, it translates to “darling life from the coast.” It made me realize that I was here to tell a story, to voice awareness of the precious yet fragile life that exists in the sea.
“Palomino” scarf necklace (2013) Copper, enamel, glass, 1” X 41” X 5” Photo by Gene Starr.
I knew I had found my voice and I wanted to grow further, intellectually and technically as a jeweler. I left Puerto Rico to complete my BFA in jewelry at New Mexico State University.
” Armada, Luna” (2011) Copper, Swarovski glass 26” x 12” x 12” Photo by Gene Starr.
Right after that, I was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from RISD where I received an MFA in Jewelry and Metals. I then traveled to India for three months wanting to submerge myself in a completely different culture and learn more about their jewels.
“Connecting” (2009), Copper, Organza, 12” X 10” X 5.5” Photo by Affandi Setiawa.
Currently, I live in Kansas City, Missouri where I have a jewelry shop and work full time as an artist. I enjoy branching out and challenging myself. I have created several clothing collections to go in hand with my sculptural jewelry. Some of my designs have also been translated into larger wall installations.
Madeleine Albright Brooch (2014), Fine Silver, 24k, Enamel, 2″ x 2.4″ x .65″
Recently, I was commissioned to design a brooch for former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright. The commissioned piece represented Madeleine with her three daughters. I also wrote a book “Hidden in Nature”, a metaphor and story of a coral adapting to sea change.
Online store collections inspired by the Cycle of Life in the Ocean. Birth, Life, Fossils, Ciclos.
I have started an online store with smaller versions of my sculptural designs. I am expanding my collections on the Cycle of Life in the ocean and will continue creating larger designs. As my techniques evolve and my experiments continue, I hope to bring a new style of jewelry foreign to the market by next spring.
Fashion For a Cause, Spring, 2015. Ciclos Collection inspired by the Cycle of Life in the Ocean. Clothing and Jewelry by Cheryl Eve Acosta. Photo by Robert Schraeder.
As I continue to create more jewelry, I seek to find more women who are confident to wear my larger designs and who also embrace their individuality. I wish to help women feel more assertive by wearing conversation pieces. I enjoy making my sculptural art and sharing the story behind each collection. Birth begins, life emerges, fossils remain, and the cycle continues.
Cheryl Eve Acosta invites you to follow her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
It’s incredible how such cold materials like metals can look so fragile, innocent and nicely empathise the sexuality and strenth of woman. Unusual, inspiring and very impressive artworks.
Hello Jone,
You have a beautiful way with words! Thank you for the kind message. I hope you enjoyed my story behind my work. I would love to quote with on my website with credits.
Best