Inspiration for Mannequin:
The Wodaabe people are desert nomads who live in northern Africa.
They herd their goats and longhorn cattle, walking along beside them. They are
a culture of 'artists' who regard beauty and grace as the essential qualities
of life. They gather one week each year when the Wodaabe men adorn themselves and
dance and sing hoping to attract marriageable women.
Bio:
Merchant attended California
College of Arts and Crafts with the intention of becoming a painter. While
there, she learned that in order to execute my ideas she needed to work three
dimensionally. Alexander Calder was an important early influence. Merchant was
deeply moved by what she observed as the humor, primitive innocence,
sophistication and relentless curiosity inherent in his work. She was inspired
to commence a journey of her own when the opportunity presented itself, guided
by her immense curiosity.
In 1971, Merchant embarked on a seven-year sojourn that took
her first to Africa and Yemen
then overland through Persia,
Afghanistan, India
and Nepal. She
became extremely excited and curious about tribal jewelry; how it moved, how it
danced on the body. It was at this time that she made the decision to learn
these jewelry techniques. Merchant started by immersing herself in the local
culture and dress. She demonstrated respect for their way of life, and it made
all the difference. I was allowed to hunker down with the tinkers, artisans and
Babas she met along the way; observing and learning their use of simple tools
and cold joinery. During those years in the 1970's her jewelry studio consisted
of a small leather pouch containing four hand tools and a five inch hammer
given to her by an old Afghan who befriended her during this life-changing
experience.
Her work remains very personal. She still utilize simple
tools and techniques. Merchant shares, “I want my jewelry to have proper movement,
to be strong, wearable, and interesting. I like to understand the genesis of
the objects I am working with, so that I can authentically honor them in my
work. I have, for 20 years, taught these ancient jewelry techniques while
adding my own imaginative interpretations gleaned from the creative force in my
life. I continue to share the evolution of my personal journey”.
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