Kristen M. Hedge
she/they
Bozeman, MO, USA
Kristen Marie Hedge is a Silversmith from Green Bay, WI. She has her Master in Fine Arts from Montana State University where she specializes in Organic and Botanical Casting, along with Foraging and Lapidary. Her practice has grown from her childhood, being a fourth generation Florist and Gardener. She forages for her materials locally to create her jewelry and small sculptures, highlighting the beauty that is around us.
“I’m interested in how wearable objects, through their adornment, can facilitate performative expressions of mental, emotional, and physical states; how they can be taken off and put away when referencing the past or a memory. Choosing metal as my preferred medium has allowed me to explore the contrast between its natural hardness with the delicate qualities of botanicals. By using found objects, such as plants, casting them into metal, I am not only preserving the physical materials but also challenging the way these objects are traditionally viewed.”
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
“When I would visit my grandmother in her room at the ‘old folks home’, I would try to comfort by brushing her hair, hugging her and kissing her. She was unrecognizable from suffering with Alzheimer’s disease, yet I found moments where she was a glimpse of herself. I collected her hair before she passed when I brushed her hair, it was calming for her. It reminded me of when I was little and she did that for me. Life became full circle…I was honestly disturbed that when she died, all I had left of her physical was her hair, and I cherish it."
What role does connection play in your creative process?
“During visits to my grandmother at the nursing home, I sought to comfort her in ways that felt familiar—brushing her hair, hugging her, and offering gentle kisses. Alzheimer's disease had taken so much of her, leaving her almost unrecognizable. Yet, in quiet moments, I would catch glimpses of the woman she once was. As I brushed her hair, collecting strands before she passed, I felt the calming connection between us—a reversal of the care she once gave me as a child. Life had come full circle. After her death, I found myself disturbed yet comforted by the fact that the only physical piece of her I had left was her hair. I cherish it deeply, for it holds a lasting connection to her."
What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
“Growing up in a rural village, queerness felt distant—an identity often framed as a ‘new age’ dilemma or even a choice by many around me. Despite that, I always felt drawn to individuals like David Bowie, Prince, and Madonna—icons who embodied the kind of fearless self-expression I yearned for. They showed me that queerness wasn’t just possible; it was powerful. Yet, as much as I admired them, I often felt like an outsider in my own surroundings, where being openly queer seemed like an impossibility.
Now living in a larger western town, that tension still exists. Queerness, particularly in rural or non-urban areas, is often marginalized, with media and society subtly suggesting that we don’t belong here, that our identities are more suited to city life or ‘alternative’ spaces. But the truth is, many of us are here—living, thriving, and finding our own forms of connection, even in places that aren’t always welcoming.
I’m deeply interested in exploring what it means to be queer in rural spaces, where community is often tight-knit but can be isolating for those who don’t fit into the traditional mold. Queerness in these areas is complex—it’s about navigating visibility and invisibility, belonging and otherness. But it’s also a reminder that our identities aren’t confined to urban settings or media portrayals; they exist everywhere.
Through my art, I want to highlight the beauty, strength, and resilience of queer people in these often-overlooked spaces. We may not always be visible, but we’re here, creating communities of our own, and that connection to our surroundings—whether rural or otherwise—shapes who we are in powerful ways."
(From the “Prairie Gothic” Collection):
“Kairos”, sterling silver, brass, rose cut aquamarine, rose cut quartz, my grandmother’s hair (Marilyn), my mother’s hair (Nancy), my hair (Kristen), 18” x 1.5” x 1”, 2023
“In Memorium” Ear Weights, grandmothers’ hair, sterling silver casted “little-leaf linden” twigs, sterling silver, 14k gold fill, quartz, cubic zirconia, patina, mourning jewelry, heirloom jewelry, 2” x 2”, 2023
“In Memorium”, grandmothers’ hair, sterling silver, brass, quartz description: mourning jewelry, heirloom jewelry, size 6 ½”, 2023Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
“An essential part of my process is foraging local plants to create my jewelry, which grounds my work in the environment where I live. By sourcing materials directly from the land, I’m forging a deeper connection between nature, place, and identity. The plants I collect—whether from rural fields or urban edges—represent resilience and adaptability, much like the queer experience in spaces where we’re not always seen or accepted.
Each piece of jewelry I create is an embodiment of this connection. The casting process captures the beauty and intricacy of the natural forms, preserving them as wearable art. In a way, this mirrors how queer identities are shaped by our surroundings and experiences, yet persist in their uniqueness and authenticity. For me, foraging is not just about the materials, but about reclaiming a space that hasn’t always felt welcoming and making something beautiful and personal from it.
This connection to place is especially meaningful because, as someone who grew up in a rural area, I’ve always felt a strong tie to nature. It’s where I’ve sought comfort and reflection, even when my identity felt out of place. My jewelry is an expression of that relationship—an acknowledgment that, just like the plants I gather, we can thrive in unexpected or overlooked spaces.
By transforming these natural elements into art, I hope to inspire a sense of connection—to nature, to our communities, and to ourselves. Every piece carries with it the story of its origin, reflecting the resilience and beauty that exists both in the world around us and within each of us."