Collaborations
WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ARTISTS & CREATIVES
"The Five Senses"
Jewelry Collection in Sterling Silver and Rhodochrosite
Custom Handmade Artisan Jewelry created by Crystal DeRosier
in Collaboration with artist Lauren Hana Chai and The Honolulu Museum of Art
The Five Senses Jewelry Collection
Collaboration in Art and Design
In August 2023, I had the privilege of collaborating with Lauren Hana Chai to create a jewelry collection inspired by her exhibition, The Five Senses, at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA). This partnership presented an exciting opportunity to merge her evocative visual narratives with the tactile art of metalsmithing, resulting in wearable pieces that celebrate our shared creative visions.
Concept and Design Development
The collaboration began with an exploration of motifs that encapsulated the themes of Lauren’s exhibition. Among her vibrant imagery, her Korean peaches stood out as a focal point—symbols of abundance and sensuality that perfectly aligned with the essence of The Five Senses. To complement this imagery, Rhodochrosite was selected as the central stone, its rich rose tones and layered textures mirroring the depth and vibrancy of Lauren’s artwork.
Lauren joined me in my studio early in the design process, where I introduced her to the fundamentals of metalsmithing. Teaching her how to craft a sterling silver ring provided insights into the possibilities and constraints of working with metal. From there, I developed a series of designs inspired by her exhibition, rendering them in watercolor to bring our shared vision into clearer focus. These sketches served as the foundation for the final collection.
Creation and Execution
Once the designs were finalized, I hand-fabricated each piece in my studio, combining sterling silver with carefully selected stones. The collection included earrings, pendants, rings, and studs—each one crafted to honor the themes of Lauren’s work while maintaining my own artistic signature. This meticulous process involved hours of hand sawing, soldering, sanding, and polishing, with every step undertaken to ensure the highest quality and artistic integrity.
A Celebration of Storytelling
This collaboration was more than a fusion of art forms; it was a celebration of storytelling through diverse mediums. Lauren’s ability to evoke emotion through her paintings, combined with my dedication to transforming raw materials into meaningful objects, resulted in a collection that resonates deeply with both of our artistic journeys.
The Five Senses Jewelry Collection underscores the transformative power of collaboration, where distinct creative practices come together to create something truly unique. I am grateful to Lauren for entrusting me with this project and to HoMA for providing the platform that made this collaboration possible.
"Kapō"
Oil on Canvas
48"H x 36"W
Painting by Crystal DeRosier
Concept by Etienne Aurelius
I was honored to be invited to paint this scene and stunning film still from the independent feature film Kapō, a film by Etienne Aurelius, having its debut as an official selection at the Maui Film Festival, New Zealand Film Festival, and Hawaii International Film Festival in 2022.
Kapō
A young Native Hawaiian indigenous woman trapped in the throes of an abusive relationship gets revenge by burning down her boyfriend’s home. Fearing retaliation, she flees into the mountains of Kauai, Hawaii where she discovers a mythical creature that guides her back to her ancestral roots.
Director: Etienne Aurelius
Language: English
USA | 2022 | 90 mins
