CAT LUCK
they/them
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Cat Luck is the designer behind Collarbone and Cat Luck Jewelry based out of Pittsburgh, PA. Cat started Collarbone Jewelry in 2010 and has sold the brand nationally. Cat started jewelry making when they got a job at a bead shop while going to school for fashion design. In 2018, they went to a jewelry trade school in NYC and are a trained metalsmith. They are currently working on more contemporary and fine jewelry while running the production lines Collarbone and Cat Luck. They are excited to grow in their craft and expand their knowledge and boundaries as a designer and artist. Their jewelry focuses on inclusive jewelry for all gender expressions.
“As a non-binary designer, I strive to create work for all gender expressions, that can be worn in a unique and playful way, bringing each wearer in touch with their higher self, true potential, and brilliance. The Crab being I created for this show is inspired by being a double cancer and a sensitive non-binary queer person navigation this binary heteronormative world. The outside of the crab is tough and shiny, a hard shell, playful and sparkly, while the inside is soft with many different textures and colors making up the rainbow flag. This crab encompasses many aspects of self while have both the dualities of the feminine + masculine and above + between. This object asks the viewer to connect to the piece regardless of their gender or expression, and depending on lenses in which they see, they may witness the piece in a totally different and unique way, that speaks to them on their unique and colorful life path.”
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
“I am constantly feeling like the underdog or odd duck as a non-binary, queer in this heteronormative nurotypical society. In ways I feel like I can connection to everyone on a spiritual heart felt level and in other ways, I have a hard time relating or understanding people, social cures, social norms or what is expected of me. My work relates to my many layers as an emotive crab in this society with the many aspects of my exterior shell and my soft inner center as well. All parts are me, but at different times, different people witness many different facets of myself. Especially if they can not see my full gender fluidly or sexuality or do not wish to understand and instead want to put me in a box with makes them more comfortable."
What role does connection play in your creative process?
“Connection is everywhere and everything. It is how we relate with this world. Everything in my creative practice is linked to connection and how my pieces are perceived and received by the wearer."
"OK CRAB", 14K GF sheet, freshwater pearls, bronze sheet, brass wire, recycled fabrics in the colors of the rainbow flag, thread and cord, Body is 3.5" x 2", including Claws and Feet: 3.5" x 6", 2024What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
“I am not sure that people know what to make of me or how to perceive me and my gender. I want to stir the pot and be unapologetically me. Bright, bold, sparkly, but also at times can feel soft, timed, and tender. I connect to the expansiveness and fluidity of gender and sexuality and want that to reflect in my work, that my pieces can take on many facets all at once or can mean different things at different times, morph and play and interact and it is all ok. I want to Try to do hard things, something that has been on my mind, all we can do is try. If it doesn't work out, it is OK as Long at we at least tried."
Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
“Since I have a background in fashion design and metal-smithing, I merged the two with this pieces using metal smithing techniques along with sewing and textile construction."