Marilyn Yakumithis
she/her
Sylvania, Ohio, USA
Marilyn Yakumithis is a jewelry artist and maker. She has been creating jewelry since earning her BFA in Sculpture, with an emphasis in Jewelry & Metals, from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2015. She was artist in residence at the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens, Greece, where her work is featured in their permanent collection. Marilyn was also involved in the Chicago art community, where she volunteered at Lillstreet Art Center and participated in jewelry events at The Silver Room.
“Lawful Fallacy
The prioritization of violence over health and safety is a problem. I created Lawful Fallacy thinking about our desensitization to violence, the glorification of violence in American culture, and harmful impacts against humanity resulting from rigid patriarchal values.
The title Lawful Fallacy is a play on ‘pallucy’ - a male-centric misconception or a fallacy rooted in male privilege - and refers to the harmful regulations placed on women/AFAB individuals' health, and the lack of regulations placed on weapons of war. It consists of silver, an alchemical representation of wisdom and femininity, and red garnets symbolizing blood. The imagery is reminiscent of an IUD - a healthcare device - or female reproductive system, abstracted into a blasting assault rifle. The duality of imagery - a source of creation and a source of destruction - questions where our true power and priorities lie.”
How does your work relate to the theme of flourish(ing)?
“My work relates to the theme of flourishing because I am drawn to work with concepts that scare me, and through alchemy I'm able to convert my fear and disgust into something beautiful and cathartic."
"Lawful Fallacy", Sterling silver and garnet, 1.75" x 1.5", 2025How does your creative practice allow you to flourish (grow, thrive, blossom)?
“The process of creating beautiful and hopeful ideas from places that seem impossible allows me to flourish - it creates a stronger and braver lens for me to view reality and encourages me to consider more possibilities for (r)evolution and creativity.”
As a queer+ artist, what would you like to see and/or what do you need in order to flourish during this time?
“I like to see individuals expressing themselves artistically, freely, bravely, and without censorship, and I need community. This is what allows me to flourish during this time.”
Photographs Courtesy of the Artist
Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
“The ideas are big and the medium is small and subtle - this is important.”