Representation of the Female Body as a Substance of Contemporary Ornamentation in Metal Jewelry

Abstract

This study explores the role of surrealism in metal jewelry design as it pertains to the representation of the female body. The research focuses on the works of three contemporary metal jewelry artists from Etsy, examining how their creations utilize surrealism to express experiences of castration and fetishism, as theorized by Freud. It investigates the interplay between functionality and unconventional forms, highlighting how surrealism allows for a critique of traditional gender norms and a subversion of established visual conventions. By employing literature studies and visual analysis, the research demonstrates how these surrealist elements in metal jewelry serve as a medium for expressing complex narratives about femininity, identity, and bodily autonomy. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how surrealism can be a powerful tool in challenging and reinterpreting conventional representations of the female body in contemporary art.