Enameled grimaces, floppy fish, and medieval maces clip together assembling necklaces, brooches, and lockets in the newest works by Aaron Patrick Decker in it's (not) all fun and games. A body of work inspired by difficult experiences growing up queer in a military household, Decker skillfully sources and recontextualizes those memories into jewelry. Each piece its own micro narrative with titles such as mace face, cut my teeth, and luke, a flying fish, these new enamels combine a deep curiosity for the material and its history in military medals and regalia with the fascination of toys and play to make pieces that come apart, and reconfigure into an array of different wearable possibilities. More toy than jewelry, these new wearable works by Decker are a strong and confident turn in the artist's practice
Aaron Decker earned an MFA in metals at Cranbrook Academy of Art (2015), and his works can be found in many distinguished collections, including the recent acquisition of several pieces by the Enamel Arts Foundation.
it's (not) all fun and games is Aaron Decker's second exhibition with Ornamentum.
artwork photos: Jenn Bondy
