Outrageous Ornament: Extreme Jewelry in the 21st Century

Jewelry in one form or another has been around since the beginning of time. From prehistoric evidence of body decoration made of found materials through modern day design, jewelry has confirmed a sense of identity and status of the wearer. More recently, since the turn of the 21st century, new, very bold, sometimes startling, and often outrageous “jewels” have extended beyond our cultural expectations of personal adornment. The traditional boundaries that have for so many centuries defined body ornaments are reimagined – makers rethink it, remake it, ponder its place in history, and expand our definition of jewelry.

Outrageous Ornament will include approximately 50 examples of the most experimental and provocative work being created today by international artists, architects, fashion designers and jewelers.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.