Butterflies - Chou

Artist: Mēgan Corwin
Materials: Sterling silver, fabric
Dimensions: Pendant is 5" x 3" - chain is approximately 22"

Fabric Motif: In Japan, butterflies symbolize the spiritual essence of a person's soul. They are also associated with the idea of metamorphosis and transformation

Haiku: azure sky...twitters float on the breeze

                       - Susan Lee Roberts

About the Work: "My Yukata fabric piece includes colorful abstract designs of butterflies. These designs inspired me to make a piece with the simple outline of a butterfly and to focus on the "wing scales" using the actual Yukata fabric. I cut the fabric into 1/2" squares and folded the pieces into sharp "petal" forms using the Japanese fabric petal folding technique called "tsumami". The textures and colors of the wings on my piece are a direct result of using this fabric. I decided to make a pendant as the piece is large and I wanted it to have some movement."

Mēgan Corwin Bio: Nancy Mēgan Corwin is a jeweler/metalsmith, teacher, curator and writer in the field of art metals specializing in the ancient techniques of chasing and repoussé. Feature articles on her work have appeared in numerous books and magazines including Metalsmith Magazine, and Ornament Magazine. Mēgan has work in numerous private collections as well as The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, the permanent collection of The State University of New Mexico-Las Cruces, and at the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington. 

In 2009 Brynmorgen Press published Mēgan’s book on the techniques of chasing and repoussé, titled “Chasing and Repoussé: Methods Ancient and Modern,” which is in its fourth printing and is published in the US, England and China. 

This piece is part of the Yukata Inspired 2025, a collaborative exhibition between Okan Arts & Danaca Design featuring jewelry and metalwork alongside Haiku from Haiku Northwest. Learn more and view the entire collection HERE.