The Daily Bulletin Archive

Stephen Saracino, professor of metalsmithing in the Art and Design Department, has been invited to a nine-day residency at the Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.

Professor Saracino is a metalsmith, educator, and exhibiting artist with over 40 years of experience in the field. His work often has a satirical element and reflects his personal or political concerns. This ring, titled Third World Civilian Ring, was included in the 2017 exhibition Guns, Violence, and Justice. It incorporates a surface-to-air missile and small figures as adornment.

Professor Stephen said the piece was an effort to "come to grips with the absurdity of a world hell-bent on resolving its problems via violence." The ring itself is fashioned from both cast and fabricated components. Wax carving was used to create the rocket, chairs, and figures before casting, and a spring inside the launch tube propels the tiny missile forward.

As a visiting artist to the Metal Museum campus, he will lead a master class on lost wax casting for jewelry from March 20 to 22. The master class will follow an evening talk regarding his work that will be open to the public.

Third World Civilian Ring
Two-finger ring
14K yellow gold, sterling silver, plastic