L M deLeon
she/they
El Cerrito, CA, USA
L M deLeon is a self identified “queerdo” and multidisciplinary artist, with a primary focus on adornment and jewelry, currently residing in the San Francisco bay area. During their college years, they fell in love with hammering metals in Dawn Nakaishi’s Jewelry/Small Scale Metalsmithing class. They’ve since built a home studio in which they’ve continued to explore, combining a variety of materials and elements using traditional metalsmithing and fiber arts techniques into beautiful cohesive works of wearable art. They’ve exhibited their work nationally. They’re a digital fabrication specialist with the College of Environmental design at University of California Berkeley and the eNews editor for the Metal Arts Guild of San Francisco.
“I am, first and foremost, an object maker. I have always been fascinated with intimate, hand-held objects that speak to use and personal histories. I create loose, gestural objects which give me ample room to play with form, surface, and patina. Often subtle and meditative in nature, my objects are often meant to be taken into the hands and activated through touch.”
How does your work relate to the theme transformation— How does the work translate joy into strength?
"Mulling over headpiece designs for ages, unsurprisingly, considering the adornment traditions and ceremonial costumes throughout humanity's history.
Prior to departing from my hometown Santa Cruz, a polyphonic singing group (desperately wishing I could recall their name!) performed traditional indigenous dances during which they donned beaded headbands. Long strands hanging down across their faces held in place by thin straps of leather, the strands moved across their faces as they swung their head from side to side. It probably felt amazing, having experienced handling strands of beads.
A definitive moment of inspiration. But another, much older source, is a stringed rainbow windsock I used to be obsessed with as a child. I would run my fingers through it at length.
Only recently realizing how much my own proclivities for unique physical sensations compel me and influence my projects especially as my earliest memories are rife with them. A butter yellow sweater, likely angora, that my mother donned - I affectionately named the ""huggy sweater"". Deeply saddened when it became too holey for wear and was let go of (never finding another with a satisfactory level of softness to replace it). Breaking the thin crusts of sand that form on the beach - still love doing this! Snails crawling over my hands and arms, their whole body undulations tickling me. Bared feet squishing mud or running over a field patched with clover (risking painful bee stings). Hardware store trips with dad, pushing my hands into washer or nut filled bins. The heft of a cotton waffle weave blanket. Finally, the bead store, running fingers across the looped strands until bored, shifting to scouring the floor for treasures.
Not surprising, my immediate fascination with the headpieces in which they danced, desiring to create something akin (and hoping to remain respectful of their ceremonial indigenous practice), desperately wanting to feel the flow of beads over my face. Relaxing into the sensation seeking side of myself, giving grace for pleasure gained from the proper weight and texture of a thing. This headpiece satisfies in ways I enjoy sharing with others. For me, it’s tinged with sweet nostalgia."
"Crown no. 02", Brass, telecommunication wire glass beads, 6" x 6" x 1.75", 2022Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
"Brass headband style crown with the chevron motif wrapped in purple telecommunication wire with forged and polished brass discs on either side, a diamond shaped handmade brass chain and a curtain of deep purple and gold beads (sourced from my mother's collection) also in a chevron motif.”
Photo credits to L M deLeon
Model and MUA is Kitty Striker
