Ford & Forlano

With the introduction of precious materials such as sterling silver, gold and pearls, Steve Ford and David Forlano work is the boldest and most expressive to date. The forms and surfaces resemble organic structures such as those found washed up on a beach. They have complex, layered surface treatments and the colors are mysterious and unusual. Ford and Forlano strive to give each element in a piece it’s own diverse character while still making it look unified and whole.

Many of our brooches are like a collection of fragments. Not necessarily of literal
fragments (say, like shards of pottery) but more like “conceptual fragments,”– like
a piece of music, a chapter from a story, an ingredient from a cuisine, or an element
of a language. At some point, however, we let the references subside a bit and allow
the color, abstract patterns and form to lead us. The work feels complete to us when
the balance of elements – abstract and imagistic -- comes into focus in some unusual
way. The viewer, on the other hand, is free to gather his/her own impression of these
suggested images.