Melanie Bilenker
(She/Her - Philadelphia, PA)
Eucalyptus
Hair on Paper, Gold, Silver, Mineral Crystal
22 in. Diameter
2017
Magnolia
Hair on Paper, Gold, Silver, Mineral Crystal
20 in. Diameter
2017
Viewfinder, Rinsing
Hair on Paper, Mother of Pearl, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Mineral Crystal
2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 in.
2017
Viewfinder, Rinsing (Detail)
Hair on Paper, Mother of Pearl, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Mineral Crystal
2.5 x 1.25 x 1.25 in.
2017
Washing the Tub
Hair on Paper, Silver, Mineral Crystal, Silver Leaf
2.75 x 2.5 x 2.75 in., 18 in. chain
2018
Photograph by Graham MacIndoe
Melanie Bilenker translates the historic art of Victorian memorial hair jewelry into work that reflects upon the contemporary era. Instead of implementing the traditional decorative motifs of curls, plaits, and flowers, she depicts ordinary moments of everyday life through self portrait scenes “drawn” in her own hair and set in gold and silver. Bilenker received a BFA in Crafts and Jewelry from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, and maintains a studio at the JV Collective, a collaborative jewelry workspace. Bilenker’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in solo and group exhibitions and can be found in numerous public collections.
Using a drawing technique inspired by historic hairwork, I glue individual strands to paper in an attempt to preserve and show fleeting time so that it can be revisited. I aim for authenticity, to make an image look the way it feels. Hair represents a person, intimacy, a moment left behind, something shed.