Michael Reid Hunter:
Michael offers hand-made original jewelry including pendants, bracelets, earrings and more!
Michael was our guest for the February 2008 First Friday event.
Michael Reid Hunter, Goldsmith / Wondermonger
Wondermonger - n.
One who deals with wonders; a wonder-worker
Artist Statement:
I have always collected things; rocks, shells, arrowheads, coins, stamps, gemstones, artifacts, the list is endless and ever-changing. One of my jewelry students once described me as a “stuff magnet”, a term that I thought fit perfectly.
Most small items eventually find their way into my jewelry in one form or another, either as display or pieces of pendant or earring. I ignore traditional ideas of “precious”; rusted washers fascinate as well as a facetted sapphire in the right context. Many artifacts take on a new shift in meaning when isolated from their original cultural connection; the Yu'pik fishing barb becomes a micro Brancusi sculpture when featured in a pendant.
I am a goldsmith. Gold is a delight to work with, soft, heavy and radiant, it has a permanance that inspires me. Gold coins from ancient Greece come from the ground in perfect condition glowing as if minted yesterday. Gold carries it's history well, all of the marks in it's fabrication stay as well as the scuffs and dings of it's travels. I prefer to leave the metal alone as much as possible; the highly polished hard edges of commercial 14K and 18K jewelry I find lifeless and cold. I prefer 24K gold and 22K alloys, the color is richer and it is heftier to the hand.
Biography:
I was born in New York City and grew up in south Florida . I graduated from Lake Worth High School and then went on to Florida State University, in Tallahassee, FL with a B.A. in english and religion in 1973. I stayed in Tallahassee , working as a surveyor, first with the county road department, and then with the State of Florida , doing geodetic surveys.
After nearly ten years working with the state, marrying, building my own house, divorcing, I decided to return to school in art. William Harper, one of the world's top enamelists, taught jewelry at Florida State. I was hooked. After 4 years of intermittent classes, I applied for graduate school in metalsmithing. I chose Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills , Michigan, under the scrutiny of Gary Griffin.
Cranbrook was a treasured experience; a graduate school only and only an art school, with 140 students on campus spread out across 9 disciplines, with no classes, individual studios, and endless critiques. I relearned my craft from the metal up, appreciating and acquiring historical skills that have long been forgotten. I learned to ignore the value of gold, treating it in the same way one would copper or silver. My work became freer and more casual. After a wondrous and grueling two years, I received my Masters of Fine Arts from Cranbrook in 1989.
Moving to New Orleans to teach jewelry at Delgado Community College , I ended up working in a primitive art gallery on Royal Street where I met my wife Susan. I moved to live with her in Baton Rouge until we escaped to Juneau in early 1993. I have had many shows around Juneau and Skagway, and I have taught jewelry at the University of Alaska - Southeast for ten years.
Please note that the pieces shown are examples of Michael’s work. Please e-mail us to inquire about pricing or current availability of pieces.
Pendant by Michael Hunter |
Pendant by Michael Hunter |
Bracelets by Michael Hunter |
Pendant by Michael Hunter |
Pendant by Michael Hunter |
Pendant by Michael Hunter |
Dzi beads by Michael Hunter |
