S. Sanchez
they/them
Lubbock, TX, USA
S. Sanchez is a gender non-conforming Chicano Metalsmith and jewelry artist from Houston, TX, currently pursuing their MFA at Texas Tech University. Sanchez reflects on the relationship between adornment and identity/power. They explore how specific icons and placements of jewelry objects can signal messages of queer and Latine identity. Sanchez creates adornment using the imagery, icons, and symbologies created within their illustrative practice and the visual language of their cultural background. Sanchez continues the tradition of utilizing adornment to signal the power of the wearer by creating jewelry made for queer bodies that assign status and power to marginalized identities. Combining ancient methods of creation, such as casting, with contemporary advances such as electroforming, they find their footing in an ancient and ever-advancing media. Through jewelry, they honor the traditions and creators that came before them while navigating the contemporary times they exist within.
“In my work, I explore the role of adornment in assigning power to bodies. Throughout history metalsmithing and practices of adornment functioned to distinguish those of high rank, nobility, and power. Using the precedent of adornment, I use metalsmithing, narigueras, and illustrations to assign power to queer bodies. My practice develops a personal visual language to create coded interactions within the queer and the queer/Latino diaspora. Using coded icons, unconventional septum jewelry, and adornment I seek to create artifacts of the present that designates status and power to marginalized bodies.”
“Connection to communities inspire my work. Being Tejano and queer, I draw upon shared visual languages to try and call out. I am inspired by coded interactions, flagging with iconography and septum rings is my way to make spaces for connection to other queer and queer Latiné people."
How does your work relate to the theme connection?
"Payaso", Electroformed copper, spray paint, 7.5" x 4.5" x .5", 2024
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Francely Flores
“The literal connection of transformative metals like copper to the body is a way for me to reflect on my transition, and gain strength through objects of adornment. The connection of adornment to my septum to signal power and queerness also allows me to connect to an ancient lineage of makers. Through my studio practice I can feel apart of the ancient practice of adornment and metalsmithing, and apart of the community that signal queerness through body ornamentation."
What role does connection play in your creative process?
"Vulture", Oxidized cast bronze and brass, 1.8" x 2.6" x .8", 2024
NYCJW24 @ UrbanGlass, Simon Leung
"My queerness affects how I interact and navigate the world around me. It influences the choices I make inside and outside of my studio. As a queer in Texas, I am pushed to radically claim space and foster practices of resistance."
What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?
"Espinitas", Electroformed copper, 1.6" x 3" x 1", 2024
[queerphoria]v4 @ ECU Symposium
