Annie Pennington

Annie Pennington received her BFA in Jewelry Design from Pittsburg State University in 2006 and her MFA in Metalsmithing from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 2009. Her jewelry has been published in multiple books and periodicals, and she has an extensive exhibition record, both nationally and internationally. In 2011, she joined the staff of Art Jewelry magazine as Associate Editor, where she is able to combine her love of metalsmithing with her passion for teaching others. Annie currently lives in Wisconsin, where she spends all her free time creating work for juried and invitational exhibitions.

"Inspired by false-color Scanning Electron Microscope images of spores, pollen, plant cellular structures, and molecular growth mechanisms, I create wearable sculptural objects that reference the intricate elements and natural processes that surround us on a daily basis. Commonly overlooked and unexplored, this hidden world contains some of the most complex and delicate lines, forms, and textures from which to draw inspiration.

I choose to utilize commonplace materials for their textural qualities, color, malleability, and structural integrity. Like the imagery that inspires me, the materials are all around, and they are easily accessible — they can be found at local craft, hardware, and yarn stores. By modifying and increasing the scale of microscopic elements, I create an intimate dialogue between wearer and object, and challenge the viewer to come face-to-face with my version of the natural world."

-Annie Pennington