Aleena Derohanian
(She/Her, Canada)
“Instead of thinking outside the box, get rid of the box.” - Deepak Chopra
Aleena Derohanian
Portrait Bib
Sterling Silver, Brass, Upcycled Painting
8.6" x 3.5" x 15.7"
2019
Photograph by Linette Kielinski
“When I was in high school, I loved painting and spent a lot of time creating self portraits in bold, and expressive styles as a way of forging my creative identity. The weirder, the better was my personal motto when it came to self-expression. After graduating, the paintings that once spoke clearly of the person I was becoming slowly made their way into the depths of my parents’ basement to gather dust, as I left my creative self behind and got a “real job” in sales. A few years ago, I made the decision to go back to university and pursue a degree in jewellery and silversmithing. Over time, that strange, creative person I was in high school started to come back as I realized where I’m meant to be in life (cue current me running slow motion towards high school me on the beach, as we merge amorphously into one body). This bib-pendant was created from a reclaimed high school self portrait. While my identity stays central to any work that I have ever made, the transformation between what the flat canvas once was, and the ruffled and voluminous form of this necklace speaks to the evolution of my craft over the years. This piece is a way for me to pay tribute to my high school self, acknowledging the importance of how my high school experience has shaped the artist/maker that I am today.”
